Which of the following is NOT true about Richard Wagner?

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Prepare for the University of Central Florida MUL2010 Enjoyment of Music Exam 3. Study with flashcards, multiple choice questions, and detailed explanations. Get ready to succeed on your music exam!

Richard Wagner is known for revolutionizing opera and was a key figure in the development of late Romantic music. While he did utilize some traditional forms, his overall approach to composition was innovative and often broke away from established conventions. Wagner is famous for creating highly dramatic and cohesive operas that integrate music with other arts, especially through his concept of Gesamtkunstwerk, which translates to "total artwork."

His background in the traditional forms of the time informed his work, but his operas like "Die Ring des Nibelungen" integrate complex structures and seamless transitions that go beyond conventional form. Instead, Wagner's innovations in harmony, orchestration, and thematic development signified a departure from the traditional frameworks that had previously been used in opera.

This shift in approach is evident in his use of chromaticism and elaborate harmonic language, which contributed to the emotional intensity of his music. Thus, the statement that he primarily used traditional forms is not true, as his compositions evolved into a new style that was distinctly his own.