This monumental book—nearly 750 pages—offers an unparalleled deep dive into Wagner’s use of leitmotif, analyzing thousands of individual moments and hundreds of thematic phrases. With its meticulous detail and structural insights, it promises to become an essential resource for scholars, performers, and seriously engaged listeners alike. For this event, Swann will give his talk from the piano, illustrating key musical passages by playing them live at the keyboard.

The author, Jeffrey Swann, brings extraordinary expertise to the project. A celebrated American pianist and internationally renowned Wagner scholar, Swann has performed and lectured widely—from solo recitals with top orchestras in the U.S., Europe, Latin America and Asia, to lecture‑recitals at the Bayreuth Festival and numerous Wagner Society events. Swann’s dual identity as performer and scholar allows him to illuminate deeply musical and dramatic structures—from the introduction:

“Ultimately, this work rests on a paradox: it pinpoints in detail thousands of individual moments and analyzes hundreds of short phrases. Its value, on the other hand, lies in deepening and enhancing our appreciation of The Ring as a whole: to gain a better sense of its narrative and musical sweep, to understand its dynamic unity, it many structural features–and in the end, to gain deeper insights into its meanings.”

Paperback, 744 pages

Wagner Society of Washington, D.C., 2025

Condition: New