Nietzsche, Wagner, Europe

The book "Nietzsche, Wagner, Europe" by Martine Prange offers an in-depth analysis of Friedrich Nietzsche's ideal of a European culture, which is heavily influenced by his musical aesthetics. Nietzsche, a significant philosopher of the 19th century, engaged deeply with the cultural identity of Europe and criticized the nationalist movements of his time. This work examines Nietzsche's vision of "good Europeans" and the idea of a supranational identity. Prange illuminates Nietzsche's development regarding the aestheticization of Europe and demonstrates how his views on music and culture changed throughout his philosophical evolution. A central theme is Nietzsche's relationship with the music of Richard Wagner, which shifted from initial admiration to critical distance, as well as his later appreciation for Italian operas and Goethe as models for a new European consciousness.