For both Nietzsche and Wagner, nineteenth-century culture had become decadent. Their views on how to better the situation began as a unified front and then diverged, at least on the face of things, into hostile polemics. This mutual percolation was rich for the histories of both music and philosophy. Nietzsche’s writings about the state of culture, and music, will be discussed, as will the early seeds of Wagnerian literature, starting with Nietzsche’s own contribution. Wagner’s last opera, Parsifal, can be seen as synthesis of both their philosophies – a strong expression of both the metaphysical will and the Übermensch – both coming to the fore through the clarinets. Nietzsche teaches us that form is but a matter of perspective. Amassing a kaleidoscope of perspectives is the most delicious way to appreciate Wagner’s music.