# How to get started in listening to Wagner?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-get-started-in-listening-to-wagner/582836>\
**Category:** Cafe Society\
**Created:** [May 23, 2011, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-get-started-in-listening-to-wagner/582836 "2011-05-23T00:59:15Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![brocks](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7feea3/32.png) [@brocks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brocks)\
**Post date:** [May 23, 2011, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-get-started-in-listening-to-wagner/582836/21 "2011-05-23T21:58:50Z")

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Let me second whoever said to start with a greatest hits – overtures and preludes – CD. I got a Wagner hits CD from the bargain bin 20 years ago, and it’s still some of my favorite music. I think diving right into the Ring is not a great idea, unless you are already a huge fan of opera.

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**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\
**Post date:** [May 23, 2011, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-get-started-in-listening-to-wagner/582836/22 "2011-05-23T22:20:14Z")

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> [@vdgg81](#):
>
> Mark Twain is said to have stated that “Wagner’s music is better than it sounds”

Twain attributes it to “the late Bill Nye.”

Volume I of the Autobiography.

Edgar William Nye was a journalist and then a popular humorist.

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**Author:** ![vdgg81](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/3d9bf3/32.png) [@vdgg81](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vdgg81)\
**Post date:** [May 24, 2011, 4:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-get-started-in-listening-to-wagner/582836/23 "2011-05-24T04:54:23Z")

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> [@carnivorousplant](#):
>
> Twain attributes it to “the late Bill Nye.”

I know. It’s in the link next to the quotation. I should have put it in my post, though. Good catch.

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**Author:** ![Docta\_G](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/2bfe46/32.png) [@Docta\_G](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Docta_G)\
**Post date:** [May 24, 2011, 5:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-get-started-in-listening-to-wagner/582836/24 "2011-05-24T05:36:02Z")

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> [@dalej42](#):
>
> When I was in high school, I used to read the audiophile magazines and they always debated about what Wagner recordings to listen to. Of course, they carried a very high price tag, so outside from a few PBS opera shows, I’m not very familiar with Wagner. I’ve heard some of the instrumental music from his operas, but I’m not very familiar with the Ring Cycle or any other of Wagner’s operas.
> 
> Should I buy some recordings first? I remember a lot of reviews talking about how great the Solti recordings were and comparing them with various other recordings.
> 
> Should I start with DVDs? I’ve often heard that you really need to experience Wagner rather than listen to him.

Just say _no_ to Wagner.

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**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\
**Post date:** [May 24, 2011, 11:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-get-started-in-listening-to-wagner/582836/25 "2011-05-24T11:17:05Z")

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> [@vdgg81](#):
>
> I know. It’s in the link next to the quotation. I should have put it in my post, though. Good catch.

My apologies. I thought I was doing good! 🙂

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