Why is Goethe Famous ? (A Musical Reply)
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749-1832)
It helps, of course, if you come from the right bloodlines. But why is Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749-1832) so famous ? Why does ‘Wikipedia’ describe him as, ‘the supreme genius of modern German literature' ? Well, one good reason is that Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, ‘the supreme genius of modern German literature’, came from the right bloodlines, as already said, but also was a prominent member of the Bavarian Illuminati who was prepared (for 30 pieces of silver) to abandon his career in law and to pose in romantic settings - for example, having his portrait painted for the adoring faithful back home during his 2 year journey to Italy (1786-8). We don’t need to go in to the details, do we ? Although details of what he was actually doing in Venice during that second year remain as obscure and unknown today as always. With entire parts of his correspondence (and that of his correspondents) conveniently destroyed.
But, in his defence, Goethe, of course, is author of that well known poem, ’Faust’ and of that most famous novel ’The Sorrows of Young Werther’. Both of which have often been set to music. (Neither of which are recommended for those who enjoy life or who see their glass half full, rather than half empty !). But Goethe, that well known heroic climber of a volcano in Italy, keeper of notes on geological formations, poseur extraordinaire, and a visitor to many ancient architectural sites of ancient Italy during those two formational years could not contain his enthusiasm for what he witnessed in Italy. Which, when its details were read back home, came as real news to the highly cultured Germans, who had obviously never seen the land of Italy. Thus Goethe became even more famous. (Despite Italy's monuments being widely known to everyone including Italians and non-Italians over the last 2000 years across Europe. Some of whom could write themselves).
To be fair, Goethe, touched by ideas of modesty, hoped his life to be remembered more for his theory of colour than for being ’the supreme genius of modern German literature’. Now there's modesty for you, yes ? Illuminati projects included.
And thus he, the ‘supreme genius of modern German literature’ was allowed to be cultivated as an indispensable part of ‘western culture’. Having calling cards to the aristocracy of western Europe (which he never stopped using) and basking in the glory of being 'the supreme genius of modern German literature'. Having friends in high places throughout this period of iconic status. And whose awful fate, as you know, was to become famous - very famous, in fact, for being, well, very famous.
The extreme end of Goethe criticism may even be contained in an infamous statement by Hans Johst -
‘When I hear the word ‘culture’ I reach for my holster’
But these two extreme views on Goethe and his iconic status are surely balanced by the observation (available to anyone with a brain) that the recognition of ‘genius’ is paying lip service to a wholesale revival of enforceable Babylonian culture, which specialises in and even demands the making of shrunken pantheons with (or without) your consent and the writing of sanitised and civilised versions of cultural history. With our brains stuck firmly in 'neutral'.
Ludwig van Beethoven
Overture
Egmont
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-_qruHlvDM
