The Ring of Truth

The Wisdom of Wagner's Ring of the Nibelung

Roger Scruton

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English

Penguin
14 August 2017

Music; Romantic music (c 1830 to c 1900); Individual composers & musicians, bands & groups; Western philosophy: Enlightenment; Philosophy: aesthetics; Ethics & moral philosophy

A magnificent book by a famous author on perhaps the greatest of all musical works

Wagner's Ring of the Nibelung is one of the greatest works of art created in modern times, and has fascinated critics and devotees for over a century and a half. The Ring of Truth is an exploration of the drama, music, symbolism and philosophy of the Ring from a writer whose knowledge and understanding of the Western musical tradition are the equal of his capacities as a philosopher. Scruton shows how, through musical connections and brilliant dramatic strokes, Wagner is able to express truths about the human condition which few other artists have been able to convey so convincingly. For Wagner, writes Scruton, the task of art is to 'show us freedom in its immediate, contingent, human form, reminding us of what it means to us. Even if we live in a world from which gods and heroes have disappeared we can, by imagining them, dramatize the deep truths of our condition and renew our faith in what we are.'

By: Roger Scruton
Imprint: Penguin
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 198mm, Width: 129mm, Spine: 23mm
Weight: 303g
ISBN: 9780141980720
ISBN 10: 0141980729
Pages: 416
Publication Date: 14 August 2017
Audience: General/trade , Professional and scholarly , College/higher education , ELT Advanced , Undergraduate
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active

Roger Scruton is a writer and philosopher who has held positions at the universities of London, Oxford, Boston and St Andrews and who has written widely on art, architecture, music and aesthetics. His books include his now classic Short History of Modern Philosophy (1981), The Aesthetics of Music (1997), Death-Devoted Heart: Sex and the Sacred in Wagner's Tristan and Isolde (2004), Fools, Frauds and Firebrands (1985, republished 2015) an examination of the New Left and its influence on intellectual life in Europe and America. He is a fellow of the British Academy and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature.

Reviews for The Ring of Truth: The Wisdom of Wagner's Ring of the Nibelung

a masterpiece, all told the best book on Wagner I have ever read -- Michael Tanner * Literary Review * After reading this book, only the most unadventurous reader would turn down the chance to see Wagner's masterpiece. * Economist * Roger Scruton is in many ways the ideal interpreter of the Ring -- Adam Lively * The Sunday Times * Highly original and penetrating ... he writes about the music authoritatively but comprehensibly... lucidly, cogently and even entertainingly -- Tim Blanning * Literary Review * Admirably lucid ... a perceptive and detailed account ... constantly enlightening commentary -- Lucy Beckett * Tablet *