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 26th, 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
Classical Music | Orchestral Music
Richard Wagner
Ride of the Walküre, from Die Walküre Play
Recorded on 09/28/2010, uploaded on 10/15/2010
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 26th, 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
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