Classical Music | Piano Music

Recorded on 04/12/2005, uploaded on 01/17/2009

Musician's or Publisher's Notes

Competing with the “Bridal Chorus” from Lohengrin as the most recognizable Wagner melody is the opening of Act III of Die Walküre, popularly known as the “Ride of the Valkyries.” At the end of Act II of the opera, Siegmund dies in battle against Hunding. The opening bars of the “Ride of the Valkyries” serve as a prelude to beginning of Act III. The accompaniment gradually builds in suspense until the curtain raises and four of the eight Valkyrie sisters of Brünnhilde are seen preparing to take the fallen warriors in the battle between Siegmund and Hunding to Vahalla. As the other Valkyries assemble, they sing battle cries over the famous tune of the piece. Interestingly, “Ride of the Valkyries” and the song of the Rhinemaidens in Das Rheingold are the only two ensemble pieces in the first three operas of Wagner’s Ring cycle.

“Ride of the Valkyries” was an instant hit. After a performance of Die Walküre, which took place against Wagner’s wishes, on June 26^th, 1870, the composer soon began receiving requests for the opening of Act III to be performed separately. He vehemently denied all requests for a separate performance of the piece. However, that did not stop the demand. Wagner continued to receive requests for the work and the piece was even published by Schott and sold in Leipzig without Wagner’s approval. It seems, however, that Wagner only wished to keep the work from the public hands until the premiere of the complete Ring cycle in the opera house built specifically for it in Bayreuth. After that first performance, Wagner gave his consent for the work to published and performed separately from the rest of the opera, even conducting it himself in London.

Within the orchestral repertoire, “Ride of the Valkyries” is an incredibly popular piece, particularly as an encore. It is usually given in a purely orchestral version without the vocal parts of the Valkyries. During World War II, it is said that German tanks played the piece over their shortwave radios. In pop culture, it is frequently found in movies and TV shows.     Joseph DuBose

Ride of the Walküre, from Die Walküre      Richard Wagner

... The final two works are transcriptions from two of his operas: the final scene of Tristan und Isolde and the Ride of the Walküre in Die Walküre.  The piano writing succumbs to an impression of orchestral textures.  In some instances the performer is playing multiple lines as if it were laid out for the orchestra and at other times the writing is more pianistic creating an orchestral illusion.    Carlos César Rodríguez

Courtesy of International Music Foundation.