Abstract

This lucid and comprehensive study of the incidents and influences on Nietzsche's most formative years preceding The Birth of Tragedy, re-examines and re-evaluates the much disputed nature and extent of the young philosopher's acquaintance with Wagner and his works. Aided primarily by valuable unpublished as well as hitherto ignored sources, the monograph also offers a critical, analytical survey of Nietzsche's own musical production as a possible, though indirect, projection of his Wagnerian experience.--S. P. S.