Friedrich Nietzsche - Unserer Altvordern Eingedenk, NWV 13

“Without music life would be a mistake.” Quoth Friedrich Nietzsche, the eternal lover of music. Unbeknownst to many, Niezsche was also quite the composer on top of his monumental work in the field of philosophy. Most of his music is anti-systematic and highly programmatic, with extremely little absolute works in his repertoire. Nietzsche for much of his life, was a fervent admirer of Wagner’s compositions and held von Bülow in high regard, though, this appreciation is reciprocated with scorn, contempt, and ridicule. One composition, a birthday gift for Cosima, was so detested by Wagner that he collapsed, rolling on the floor laughing. Ultimately, Wagner’s Croesian wealth in self-esteem and ideological differences drove the two apart. Nietzsche’s unscrupulous sister Elisabeth, who later appropriated her brother’s status and writings, remained close with the Wagners after the estrangement. The two pieces in “Unserer Altvordern eingedenk”, or “Remembering Our Forefathers”, consists o