This famous part from Richard Wagner’s Der Ring des Nibelungen performed by the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra is a stunning piece of art. It is not the first time I heard this composition, yet this full rendition gave a different perspective on the meaning the author put into his work. Now I understand the true emotions that Wagner has conveyed. In this essay, I will express my feelings and thoughts regarding “The Ride of the Valkyries.”
From its first notes, this composition causes the audience to respect the power of the arriving Valkyries. I now understand why this track serves as a major influence in mass media for many epic scenes filled with grandeur. In its original meaning, this piece’s high tempo sets up the stage for the grand entrance of the Valkyries, whose arrival indicates the departure of fallen warriors into Valhalla (Wilson, 2018). Even without knowing the full story, I felt that there was anxiety in the Valkyries’ theme hidden beneath the tune for their epic entrance. The vocal parts in this rendition of the composition add another layer of drama to the story.
In conclusion, “The Ride of the Valkyries” by Richard Wagner is a stunning piece of art that provokes associations with glory and honor through its opening tunes. However, it also reveals the true meaning of the Valkyries’ arrival, which implies death. The masterful combination of dissonant melodies creates a long-lasting impression on listeners, as the composition remains in the spotlight for its creativity and the ability to inspire strong emotions.
Reference
Wilson, A. (2018). How ‘Apocalypse Now’ etched Wagner’s ‘Ride of the Valkyries’ into our brains forever.Soundfly. Web.