'Idiosyncratic, humorous, enlightening and written by one of the finest conductors alive ... This is the book to buy if you are going to see Wagner or listen to him at home' LITERARY REVIEW Over a distinguished career conducting some of the world's finest orchestras, Christian Thielemann has earned a reputation as the leading modern interpreter of Richard Wagner. MY LIFE WITH WAGNER chronicles his ardent personal and professional engagement with the composer whose work has shaped his thinking and feeling from early childhood. Thielemann retraces his journey with Wagner - from Berlin to Bayreuth via Venice, Hamburg and Chicago. Next he takes each opera in turn, his appraisal illuminated by a deep affinity for the music, an intimate knowledge of the scores and the inside perspective of an outstanding practitioner. And yet for all the adulation Wagner's art inspires in him, Thielemann does not shy away from unpalatable truths about the man himself, explaining why today he is venerated and reviled in equal measure. The result is a richly rewarding read for admirers of a composer who continues to fascinate long after his death.

Christian Thielemann conducts the Munich Philharmonic Orchestra in these performances of Bruckner's symphonies No. 4 and 7.

Christian Thielemann conducts the Staatskapelle Dresden in a performance of Bruckner's Symphony No. 8, recorded in 2012 at the Semperoper.

Christian Thielemann conducts the Staatskapelle Dresden in these performances of Wagner's works featuring tenor Jonas Kaufmann. The works included are: 'Die Fliegende Holländer - Overture', 'Rienzi - Allmächt ger Vater' and 'Tannhäuser - Inbrunst im Herzen'.

Christian Thielemann leads the Staatskapelle Dresden in this memorial concert to mark the 200th birthday of Franz Liszt. Along with Liszt's Faust Symphony, the conductor leads the orchestra in a performance of Wagner's Faust Overture.

Christian Thielemann conducts the Staatskapelle Dresden in this performance of Strauss's 'Four Last Songs' and 'An Alpine Symphony'. Featuring soprano Anja Harteros, the concert also includes Strauss's final song 'Malven' with a newly-commissioned orchestral arrangement.

Christian Thielemann conducts the Staatskapelle Dresden in this performance of Anton Bruckner's 'Symphony No. 6', recorded at the Semperoper Dresden in 2015.

Christian Thielemann conducts the Wiener Philharmoniker in a performance of Beethoven's 'Symphony No. 9'. Also included is a documentary featuring Thielemann and Joachim Kaiser discussing Beethoven's works.

Christian Thielemann conducts the Staatskapelle Dresden in a performance of Bruckner's Symphony No. 5 in B Flat Major.

Christian Thielemann conducts the Staatskapelle Dresden in a performance of Bruckner's Symphony No. 8, recorded in 2012 at the Semperoper.

Christian Thielemann conducts the Staatskapelle Dresden in these performances of Wagner's works featuring tenor Jonas Kaufmann. The works included are: 'Die Fliegende Holländer - Overture', 'Rienzi - Allmächt ger Vater' and 'Tannhäuser - Inbrunst im Herzen'.

Christian Thielemann leads the Staatskapelle Dresden in this memorial concert to mark the 200th birthday of Franz Liszt. Along with Liszt's Faust Symphony, the conductor leads the orchestra in a performance of Wagner's Faust Overture.

Christian Thielemann conducts the Staatskapelle Dresden in this performance of Bruckner's 'Symphony No. 3 in D Minor', recorded live at Philharmonie Munich in 2016.

Christian Thielemann conducts the Staatskapelle Dresden in these performances of Brahms' symphonies from 2013. Symphonies Nos. 2 and 4 were filmed at the Semperoper Dresden while Symphonies Nos. 1 and 3 were recorded at Tokyo's NHK Hall.

Christian Thielemann leads the Munich Philharmonic Orchestra in this performance of Johannes Brahms's 'Ein Deutsches Requiem' from 2007.

The second volume in the Beethoven symphonies cycle featuring Christian Thielemann and the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra. The set features Beethoven's fourth, fifth, and sixth symphonies and contains three documentaries with analysis and discussion of each symphony by Christian Thielemann himself.

A two-volume set that marks the start of a Beethoven symphonies cycle featuring Christian Thielemann and the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra. Volume One features Beethoven's first three symphonies, while Volume Two contains three documentaries with analysis and discussion of each symphony by Christian Thielemann himself.

Christian Thielemann conducts the Munich Philharmonic Orchestra in these performances of Bruckner's symphonies No. 4 and 7.

American soprano Renée Fleming performs a selection of songs by Richard Strauss live at the Salzburg Festival in 2011. As well as featuring scenes from one of her finest roles, Arabella, Fleming is accompanied throughout by the Vienna Philharmonic, conducted by Christian Thielemann.

Christian Thielemann conducts the Staatskapelle Dresden in this performance of Strauss's 'Four Last Songs' and 'An Alpine Symphony'. Featuring soprano Anja Harteros, the concert also includes Strauss's final song 'Malven' with a newly-commissioned orchestral arrangement.

Six-part documentary about composers Richard Wagner and Giuseppe Verdi, featuring contributions from, among others, Hans Neuenfels, Christian Thielemann, Rolando Villazón, Eva Wagner-Pasquier and Gottfried Wagner. The episodes are: 'The Revolutionaries', 'Verdi's World', 'The Wagner Religion', '...And the Women', 'The Chant' and '...And the Effects of Their Music'.

Christian Thielemann conducts the Staatskapelle Dresden in these performances of Brahms' symphonies from 2013. Symphonies Nos. 2 and 4 were filmed at the Semperoper Dresden while Symphonies Nos. 1 and 3 were recorded at Tokyo's NHK Hall.

Christian Thielemann conducts this performance of Verdi's tragic Italian opera based on the Shakesperian character Othello. Recorded live as part of the Osterfestpiele Salzburg at Großes Festspielhaus in the Austrian city, the Staatskapelle Dresden provide orchestral accompaniment to José Cura who plays the leading role of Otello, Dorothea Röschmann who plays his wife Desdemona and Carlos Álvarez playing Iago, Otello's ensign.

Christian Thielemann conducts this performance of Verdi's tragic Italian opera based on the Shakesperian character Othello. Recorded live as part of the Osterfestpiele Salzburg at Großes Festspielhaus in the Austrian city, the Staatskapelle Dresden provide orchestral accompaniment to José Cura who plays the leading role of Otello, Dorothea Röschmann who plays his wife Desdemona and Carlos Álvarez playing Iago, Otello's ensign.