Recently, looking for a video of the great Donald Lambert's Pilgrims Chorus (See the video at the
bottom of the page) Alex Ross' 2012 New Yorker Festival presentation on The Wagner Legacy came up in our search results - surely one of only a few other people that have discussed Wagner and Lambert?
Persistent readers may recall us bringing this video to your attention 3 years ago (3 years? Where does the time go?). Alas, at that time it was hidden firmly behind one of those detested paywalls. Although, despite this fact we still recommended it for your attention. If however, you did not trust our judgement at that time - and who can blame you - or indeed you didn't see that recommendation, we have some good news for you. It seems the New Yorker has now made the full discussion/lecture available for free.
As one of what we have begun to call here "The New Wagner Thinkers" (we will explain what we mean by that sometime soon) in this video he brings valuable insight - both old and new - into Wagner's work and legacy. One of the saner - and more accessible - voices discussing Wagner today. Highly, highly recommended.
Now all we have to do is wait on that Wagner book he has been promising for years. Although, as he seems to take as much time on his work as Wagner did on his, we might be in for some wait. In the mean time, why not read his survey of "modernist music" The Rest Is Noise" (see below - HERE if the preview does not work in your browser) -- assuming for some insane reason you have not done so already.
