Listening Example #7
The Ride of the Valkyries from Die Walkure by Richard Wagner
German: Walkürenritt is the popular term for the beginning of Act III of Die Walküre by Richard Wagner. It is probably Wagner’s best-known piece after the Bridal Chorus from Lohengrin. It stands out in part because of its references in popular culture, where it is used to represent stereotypical Grand Opera.
In the opera-house, the Ride, which takes around eight minutes, begins in the prelude to the Act, building up successive layers of accompaniment until the curtain rises to reveal a mountain peak where four of the eight Valkyrie sisters of Brünnhilde have gathered in preparation for the transportation of fallen heroes to Valhalla. As they are joined by the other four, the familiar tune is carried by the orchestra, while, above it, the Valkyries greet each other and sing their battle-cry. Apart from the song of the Rhinemaidens in Das Rheingold, it is the only ensemble piece in the first three operas of Wagner’s Ring cycle. Outside the opera-house, it is usually heard in a purely instrumental version, which may be as short as three minutes.
From Wikipedia
Please post your critiques by Friday, April 13th at 7:06pm.
April 9th, 2007
22 Comments Add your own
1. E.G. | April 10th, 2007 at 5:47 pm
The Ride of the Valkyries from Die Walkure is a popular term for the beginning of Act III. The Ride of Valkyries is written by Richard Wagner. This song is one of Wagner’s most-known piece. This song references in popular culture, making it independent from other pieces. The Ride of the Valkyries from Die Walkure is known for it’s similarity to the Star Wars theme song, making it have an eerie era. The Ride of the Valkyries is heard by many today and will be for years to come.
The beginning of the piece is very startling, grabbing the attention of it’s listeners. The spooky melody has a very rapid beat. Throughout the song, the volume jumps and descends multiple times. The Ride of the Valkyries is repetitive and very similar to The Star Wars theme song. The full orchestra makes this song seem hectic and organized all in one. The different notes that each instrument plays, makes this song especially different from others. This entertaining piece lasts five minutes long, repeating multiple times. This song has a very individual tone to it.
In my opinion, this song is cool. All of the different notes that each instrument in the orchestra plays makes the tone of the piece sound very “out-there.” This style entertains me, because it is not common to here such an individual song. On the other hand, I would never listen to this song on my free time because it is not what usually entertains me. This song is different and that is what makes it very enjoyable and cool. Every time it is played, Star Wars seems to pop into my mind. This melody triggers all different thoughts into my mind. This makes the song entertaining and laughable. It is hard not to picture Yoda. This song is not what I would commonly recommend to people, but I think that the song is not half-bad.
2. jp | April 11th, 2007 at 9:16 am
Ride of the Valkries was a piece written by Richard Wagner. This piece was played in the Disney Movie, Fantasia. Although it was not in any of the Star Wars movies, it would fit prefectly during a light saber war. it reminds me of war, particularly an airfforce attack.
In the piece, there is a full orchetra, as well as a full brass section. Violins in particular are highlited, when they trill continually for a large portion of the song. The melody is mainly played by the low brass, especially a tuba. Timpini, can be heard, as well as a possible bass drum.
Throughout the piece, the melody builds and buiilds, getting louder and louder all the time. Suddenly it becomes quite, and it slowly builds up again. The piece is in 3/4 time, and it switches between major and minor keys. The last time the melody is played, it is played slower for emphasis. Overall, this was a very interesting piece.
3. LBA | April 11th, 2007 at 9:20 am
This song The Ride of the Valkyries, is written by Richard Wagner. It stands out in part because of its references in popular culture, where it is used to represent stereotypical Grand Opera.
I heard any different instruments in this piece that made it sound really dark. I heard violins, trumpets, and a lot of other strings and wind instruments. It had a very deep tone that grabs everyones attention it sounds almost like an ambush of animals coming towards you. I also hear soft parts throughout the song here and there.
Overall, i really liked this piece it sounded really cool. It gave me this feeling of darkness and it had an intense feeling to it. I think that this would be perfect peice for a war movie or a movie like Lord of the Rings. It has an entertaining ring to it. Overall, i really liked this piece the best compared to all the others.
4. KD | April 12th, 2007 at 9:13 am
Ride of the Valkyries was written by a guy named Richard Wagner (not pronounced as spelled)… It was written for a play where sisters prep for the transportation of the fallen heroes to Valhala… So, the song sounds kinda mysterious and Devilish, of those are the right words. This piece was played in a Disney Movie called fantasia, and many composers today continue to use Richard Wagner’s style of writing in their pieces.
This piece was written in 3/4 time at a moderate tempo. It switches moods throughout the song because Wagner switches between major and minor scales. He used a full orchestra including french horns, trombones, flutes, tubas, trumpets, clarinets, violins, violas, and chellos. I even heard a timpany a couple of times in the song.
Even though this piece is from a while back/kinda old, I gotta admit, that I like it a little. It wasn’t repetetive unlike several pieces that I’ve heard thus far, and it’s exciting. I liked how it was in a minor key and had a spooky sound. While listening to Ride of the Valkyries, I was able to see how this piece was tied in with the Lord of the Rings stories. I was completely able to picture Ring Wraths coming and slaughtering everyone until they found the ring… Somehow, I was able to apply that image to this song. I liked this piece the most out of the ones we’ve critiqued.
5. sb | April 12th, 2007 at 9:22 am
Ride of the Valkries by Richard Wagner, was one of his most famous pieces he was ever written. It stands out because it represents pop-culture instead of Gran-House Opera. As soon as I heard this piece, I thoght it was from Star Wars. Although it is not from the series, it would be perfect in any light-saber scene
Musical instruments in this piece include a full orchestra and brass. The song stays lively with exciting violins throughout the main part of the song. The piece builds and builds in volume until it ends. And then suddenly, it softens but builds back up agian.
Overall, this piece was interesting. I could not honestly say I enjoyed it but it wasn’t horrible. It was exciting, but boring at the same time since it was a little long. But other than that, it was okay.
6. S.M | April 12th, 2007 at 5:29 pm
The other day we listened to “The Ride of the Valkyries” by Richard Wagner. “Ride of the Valkyries” is one of the best known pieces by Richard Wagner. Richard Wagner lived from 1813 to 1883 and is a well known German composer best known for his operas.
This piece of music includes things like french horns, trombones, flutes, tubas, trumpets, clarinets, violins, violas, and chellos. There are several parts in this piece where the volume dramatically increases and decreases which helps to give the affect of something coming at you.
I like this piece better than other pieces we’ve critiqued. I believe that it depicts the ride of the valkyries better than l’invierno depicts the winter. The dramatic changes in sound and the great use of different instruments makes this piece great for scenes in war movies where the good guys are about to triumph over the bad.
7. G.E.R | April 12th, 2007 at 6:04 pm
In class we listened to The Ride of the Valkyries from Die Walkure by Richard Wagner. This piece is typically heard in an instrumental version, which is about 3 minutes. This is one of Richard Wagner’s most popular and well known pieces. Even I know it and that doesn’t happen very often with these critiques. Richard Wagner was a German composer who was mainly known for his operas.
When I was listening to this piece I recognized a lot of brass instruments, such as french horns, trombones, trumpets, and I think some saxaphones. Also the string family like the violin, viola, and cello. Like some of the other pieces we’ve listened to, the volume of the instruments in this piece increases and decreases which sounds really cool.
I really liked this piece. Mainly because I actually knew it and had heard it before. It kind of reminds me of the song they would play in the bugs bunny cartoons; or maybe it is the song they play in the bugs bunny cartoons. Ya know the classical music they’d play when bugs bunny was outsmarting elmer fud. Ha…good times. Anyway, all the instruments in this piece mix really well together and makes a really cool sound. Like I said…this is the type of thing that would be really great for bugs bunny cartoons…HAHA!!!
8. JNM | April 12th, 2007 at 8:30 pm
The Ride of the Valkyries was composed by Richard Wagner. It was probably one his most famous pieces. It is a unique piece, due to its references to pop culture and its representation of stereotypical Grand Opera. Most people recognize this piece, for it was in the Disney movie, Fantasia.
If I had to describe this piece in a few words, I would say it is dark, powerful, dismal, and frightening!
Unlike the other pieces we’ve heard in music class, I didn’t notice a changing tempo or volume throughout this piece. It mostly stayed lively and intense the whole 5 minutes! There was a full orchestra in the Ride of the Valkyries, as well as a tuba and a brass section. There were trumpets sounding, in addition to violins and other strings playing.
I liked this piece more than all the rest we’ve heard so far in class. I’ll bet I liked it because I was familiar with it, so I could somewhat expect what was coming. This piece is upbeat, and has a tune that makes you want to hum along. It sounds like an approaching stampede of animals, and at the same time, it reminds me of the winged-monkeys in the Wizard of Oz
9. L.H | April 12th, 2007 at 10:45 pm
Ride of the Valkries was a piece written by Richard Wagner. This was one of his best known pieces. Wagner was a German composer, well-known for his operas. This piece was also heard in the disney movie, Fantasia.
This piece was very fast paced and upbeat. To give the fast paced piece more emphasis, the piece had a drastic change in volume. There was a repeated portion that kept playing throughout the piece aswell. The piece varied from a loud upbeat pace, to a slow lower toned pace. Towards the end of the piece it builds up tempo and finally ends with a big bang.
I thought this piece was different from the other pieces we have listened to in class. Personally, I did not enjoy this piece, it was better than the pieces we have heard previous to this. I have noticed that as time progresses and we learn about more recent music, I tend to enjoy it more than the earlier ones, such as Gagliarda. Overall, this piece was good.
10. E.T. | April 13th, 2007 at 2:07 pm
The piece we listened to in class is entitled ‘The Ride of the Valfyres’. It was written by a composer named Richard Wagner in the late 1800s, to be performed through opera. The tone is supposed to be dark and ominous. In fact, listening to it may bring to mind another creepy composition: the theme from Star Wars.
The Ride of the Valkyries conists of strings, brass such as tubas, and trumpets, and also includes some crashing percussion. It starts out loud and eerie with violins. A horn melody is playing softly in the background. Then suddenly, a louder, much faster and epic-sounding trumpet melody burts through. Then that melody metls back into the background, and a new, even creepier, very high-pitched, and wavering string melody starts to play. The loudness of the piece changes gradually from loud to soft to loud again throughout the piece, and the pattern of loud, adventurous horn melody, with the wavering, dark strings melody taking over, repeats frequently throughout.
Although the music selection was not my favorite thing to listen to, it wasn’t terrible. It was exciting and fast-paced, a factor that many of the pieces we have listened to before have lacked, For some reason, the way the eerie strings melody sounded reminded me of witches flying off on Halloween night to change people into frogs…
11. mjw | April 13th, 2007 at 4:01 pm
Our most recently listened-to piece was “Ride of the Valkyries” by Richard Wagner. Of all of Wagner’s pieces, this one is probably the most famous, as it has been used on many occassions; it was used in Disney’s “Fanstasia”. In addition to this, many future composers picked up parts of Wagner’s style as their own, partially because of the success of his pieces, especially this one.
“Ride of the Valkyries” is a piece filled with strong and, in my opinion, boastful dynamics. Containing a full orchestra and brass sectionk, this piece of music is far from empty. In addition to this, this piece, written in 3/4 time, is constantly building and falling, adding a sense of suspense to the tone. Even more than the suspense in the tone, is the dark and threatening sound. Although it has previosly been characterized as eery, I find it more ‘I’m gonna get you’ than ‘ooo… blood dripping off the walls’. you know?
As far as my opinion of the piece goes…. I didn’t hate it. It definitely has a personality and attitude, which I find very important in a piece of music. It has to have some sort of feeling to it, and this surely does. Similar to the other pieces we have listened to, I wouldn’t add this to my iPod just yet, however, the fact that it was used in “Fantastia” says something about how it comes across to an audience. All in all, I feel it was an important piece of our musical education to listen to “Ride of the Valkyries” because it was something we all were familiar with, and yet now have a deeper knowledge and understanding of.
12. TGG | April 13th, 2007 at 4:43 pm
The Ride of the Valkyries was written by Richard Wagner. It was one of his most popular songs and it appeared in Die Walkure in the beginning of the Third Act. The song consists of a full orchestra and is now a basis for background music of modern war and action movies. Some of these movies are Lord of the Rings, Star wars, etc.
The Ride of the Valkyries consists of a full orchestra and is written in 3/4 time. I heard most of the instruments, but the trumpets stood out the most. The trumpets were so powerful. You could just imagine a huge battle scene when you hear them. I imagine the scene when good guys charged in on the orcs in the third movie of The Lord of the Rings. Another movie that I can picture is Star Wars. You can sort of hear the same beats and instruments used.
I actually enjoyed this piece a lot. Anyone who knows me knows that I am a huge Star Wars and Lord of the Rings fan. This piece had a little of both movies in it. Well, now I know why they sound the way they do (because they copied some of this song). It is just a classic battle tune. It gets you pumped up and ready to fight (even if you are a couch potato).
13. MB | April 13th, 2007 at 5:41 pm
Richard Wagner’s “Ride of the Valkyries” comes from his famous opera, Die Walkure. Famous for its references to popular culture, Wagner’s piece also tells the story of one all-powerful ring, which is very similar to J.R.R. Tolkein’s The Lord of the Rings series. “Ride of the Valkyries” is perhaps Wagner’s most famous composition, which has greatly influenced the composers that followed in his footsteps. Throughout the media, this song has been referenced to many times such as in the Disney movie Fantasia and in an episode of the Friends television show.
During the piece, “Ride of the Valkyries,” many types of instruments, such as brass, woodwind, and string, can be heard. The composition consists of a full orchestra that allows the piece to come off as both dark and mysterious. The volume of the piece rises and falls frequently. Additionally, emphasizing the difference in texture between measures is very apparent.
“The Ride of the Valkyries” is a famous composition that everyone must know about. It is played frequently where it is least expected and Wagner’s influence has shaped many scores of future composers. This piece is referenced to many times because of its effect on music history. Many different elements go into this piece which make it truly great, as well as it clearly tells a story and shows that something exciting is happening on stage. Richard Wagner’s piece could be the one composition that changed the way music for movies, operas, etcetera, is written.
14. KH | April 13th, 2007 at 6:21 pm
The piece that we listened to in class, the Ride of the Valkyries, was written by Richard Wagner. This is probably the second and most famous piece of music in his “ring” cycle, an opera in which an all-powerful ring is sought after. The Ride of the Valkyries has been used in various modern movies such as “Apocalypse Now”, “Snakes on a Plane” and “What’s Opera, Doc?”.
While listening to the Ride of the Valkyries, I noticed that it was played by a full symphony orchestra (stringed and brass instruments). The music was very strong and kept a steady beat. There were a couple crescendos where the music came out full blast, very loud and very powerful. When I heard this piece, the first scene that came to mind was a battlefield and heroic war scenes (like the picture of the American soldier planting the flag in the battlefield). The Ride of the Valkyries is almost inspiring because it is so mighty and exciting. This song is also very dark and ominous sounding, definitely a battle scene song.
I think that this piece was pretty okay overall. It was slightly aggressive, but I would prefer the Ride of the Valkyries to the other songs that we listened to and critiqued in class. It was definitely more interesting, and also more familiar than the other pieces because it is so famous and is used in so many movies. I think that Wagner’s Ride of the Valkyries will continue to be used in movies and TV shows because it is so strong.
15. ds | April 13th, 2007 at 8:31 pm
The Ride of the Valkryies was written by Richard Wagner. It was used in his most famous opera, Die Walkure. The opera tells the story of the quest to obtain the one and only ring of power. The piece has been used in many films including the Disney movie, Fantasia.
While listening to The Ride of the Valkyries, I noticed that Wagner used a full symphony orchestra. The instruments that I heard distinctly included french horns, trombones, trumpets, bass, cellos, violins, violas, flutes, and a tuba. The music kept a steady beat, and it came out loud and strong.
I enjoyed listening to The Ride of the Valkyries. I think it could go with pretty much any war scene; with the trumpets blaring triumphantly and the horns’ ominous calls of death. The other instruments added to this glorious yet terrifying effect.
16. Wooj | April 15th, 2007 at 8:18 pm
This piece is titled, The Ride of the Valkyries, composed by Richard Wagner. As Dr. Frankel so kindly pointed out, this piece was used in a movie based on the Vietnam war as a shock tactic used by U.S. troops. It’s pretty evident WHY they chose this piece to blast into the helicopters speakers. It’s a very dark and aggressive piece. I could imagine it being intimidating. Not only was it used in a war movie, but movies such as Fantasia and cartoon icons like bugs bunny used this piece as well.
Many brass and string instruments were used to create this symphony of terror. Well, glorifying, and terrifying. Each instrument had a chance to shine in this piece accenting each other by playing the same progression, but with a heavier or softer tone.
Although i found this piece repetitive, it was enjoyable for the most part. It’s one of those pieces that makes you go ding! i know this song! I would definitely listen to this while playing counterstrike.
17. Z.G. | April 16th, 2007 at 4:11 pm
The second of the four operas, The Valkyrie was written by Richard Wagner. The opera depicts eight Valkyrie sister carrying dead heroes on their horses. The sister become angry when they hear Singlinde has disobeyed Wotan, a powerful god. Then Sieglinde escapes from Wotan, and Brunnehilde comes out of hiding and Wotan spots her. He makes Brunnehilde a mortal woman and leaves her with his fire elemental that surrounds her sleeping area. The scene ends with, “Whosoever fears the tip of my spear shall never pass through the fire!”.
The instruments combine with the characters as such: Siegmund (Tenor), Hunding (Bass),Wotan (hoher Bass), Sieglinde (Sopran), Brünnhilde (Sopran), Fricka (Mezzosopran), and Helmwige, Gerhilde, Ortlinde, Waltraute, Siegrune, Grimgerde, Schwertleite, Rossweisse (Sopran und Alt). Many strong notes are heard with these instruments.
Overall, I like the great intensity of the opera, but the story line is very confusing. To me this can almost be compared to a Lord Of The Rings type thing because of how someone has to hide from something trying to get them. This piece is heard in many movies, mostly at big intense scenes, just how the opera sound(big and intense). I remember in Small Soldiers, the part where an awesome battle takes place with the toy soldiers and the Garganauts, this is heard. This piece is actually one to almost like.
18. g30Rg3 (;D) (its NICE!) | April 16th, 2007 at 4:14 pm
The piece that we listened to in music class was called,The Ride of the Valkyries, composed by Richard Wagner. This piece was also used in a movie about vietnam, no one expected that people would play this music as loud as possible while they were in a helicopter, shooting people. This piece can be very dark at most parts, and i am not suprised that they used this type of music to scare off the American enemy. The piece was mostly made up of string instruments, and some brass instuments, and at one point you could hear each one of the instruments. I liked this piece, because i reconized it and i like how it is some what dark, even though it is repetitive
19. l.s.=]. | April 16th, 2007 at 4:43 pm
Our most recent critique assignment was for “Ride of the Valkyries.” Richard Wagner composed this piece, and it is one of his most famous pieces. This piece was used in “Fantasia,” and is a very well known sound to all ears.
“Ride of the Valkyries” is written with constant and intense dynamics. It is brimming with dark, yet exciting melodies, and always sticks to the same mysterious tone. The piece is written in 3/4 time with a full orchestra. The sounds of many instruments can be heard throughout the piece, adding to the captivating effect. The piece actually gives off the vibe of a heated pursual, and it makes you leary of what you are doing while listening.
I believe that this piece is very well-written, however, it is not exactly “my style.” I do not really enjoy the frantic and dark feelings, I would much rather listen to exciting, yet “sunny” and upbeat songs. I don’t mind listening to the piece a few times, but I did find it a bit boring after the halfway point. The fact that I was familiar with the piece also earned it major bonus points. =]
P.S. Dr. Frankel, I am so BEYOND sorry that I handed this is late. Please forgive me?? =] I hope you understand. Thnx!
20. Aly | April 16th, 2007 at 4:56 pm
The most recent piece we listened to in class is entitled ‘The Ride of the Valfyres’. This piece of music was written by a composer named Richard Wagner in the late 1800s, to be performed through opera. Of all Wagner’s pieces, this one is probably the most famous, as it has been used on many occassions.
The Ride of the Valkyries conists of mostly strings Included in this piece is also brass, such as tubas and trumpets, and also a crashing percussion. In the beginning, it is loud and almost eerie with the sounding of the violins. Softly sounding in the background is a horn. Later, a sudden, loud, fast, and epic-sounding trumpet melody bursts through. Then that melody metls back into the background,as it was in the beginning. After that, a very high-pitched, and wavering string melody began to play. The loudness of the piece changes gradually, and sometimes dramatically from a very loud to a very soft. The change in dynamic keeps the listener engaged.
I believe that this piece is very put together, however, i would not exactly call it “my style.” I do not much enjoy the dark feelings this music brought across, and would much rather listen to happy songs. So, as I am saying like I have in my past postings, I do appreciate this piece, but would never listen to it my my spare time.
P.S—READ WHAT LIZ WROTE…forgive me tooo ((i hope your in a goood mood =] ))
21. MO | April 16th, 2007 at 7:44 pm
The Valkyrie was written by Richard Wagner in 1870. This piece was taken from the Norse mythology. The Ride, which takes around eight minutes, begins in the prelude to the Act, building up successive layers of accompaniment until the curtain rises to reveal a mountain peak where four of the eight Valkyrie sisters of Brünnhilde have gathered in preparation for the transportation of fallen heroes to Valhalla. As they are joined by the other four, the familiar tune is carried by the orchestra, while, above it, the Valkyries greet each other and sing their battle-cry.
In this piece, I heard many instruments, such as string instruments, brass and some woodwinds. There is also a full orchestra used in parts of the piece, which gives it an overall feeling of intensity.
I like this song very much. Even though it seems to never end, the chorus is fun and powerful. It’s one of those songs you like to here now and again, but not all the time. I wouldn’t have it on my ipod, but if it were to come up on the radio, I would listen to it.
22. nicole:) | April 16th, 2007 at 8:09 pm
When we listened to The Ride of the Valkyries, composed by Richard Wagner in the late 1800s. The piece was played in a disney movie, Fantasia. Wagner was a German composer, mainly known for his fantastic operas.
Ride of the Valkyries is a dark, loud, powerful piece that is meant to leave an impact. In this piece plays a full orchestra and brass. A lot of intrusments are needed to perform such loud music. Violins fill the piece with excitement. Ride of the Valkyries begins very strongly and powerfully, calms down in the middle of the sing, and starts back up again.
I, myself, enjoyed this piece. It was string, powerful, organized. Although i would not pay $0.99 for this song on itunes, it was a good experience listening to it in class.
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