The Lighter Side of Wagner

Despite the image he holds today, Wagner isn’t just about big, epic stories and heady philosophical ideas. Among his output are a surprising number of lighter, stand-alone curiosities, many of which sound quite different from the grand, dramatic music he’s famous for. Here are a few highlights, from early symphonies and piano sonatas to songs, overtures and marches, as well as his exquisite Siegfried Idyll.