Often considered idiosyncratic for a philosopher, Nietzsche felt his music played a role in understanding his philosophical thought. He particularly applied this idea to Hymn to Life. He also used the song's melody in Hymn to Friendship for piano, which he once conducted at Bayreuth for Wagner and his wife. This had, according to Cosima Wagner, led to the first sign of a break with his friend Richard, in 1874. In spite of Nietzsche's ideas about his music, it has largely been regarded as a biographical curiosity, irrelevant to his philosophical work.
Often considered idiosyncratic for a philosopher, Nietzsche felt his music played a role in understanding his philosophical thought. He particularly applied this idea to Hymn to Life. He also used the song's melody in Hymn to Friendship for piano, which he once conducted at Bayreuth for Wagner and his wife. This had, according to Cosima Wagner, led to the first sign of a break with his friend Richard, in 1874. In spite of Nietzsche's ideas about his music, it has largely been regarded as a biographical curiosity, irrelevant to his philosophical work.