Information about the piece

The Ride Of The Valkyries is a piece of music composed by the influential German composer, Richard Wagner , during the 19th century.

• This composition is part of an opera called Die Walküre (The Valkyrie), which is the second of four operas in Wagner's cycle Der Ring des Nibelungen (The Ring of the Nibelung).
• In the opera's context, the piece plays in the beginning of the third act, accompanying the ride of the eight Valkyrie sisters who have collected the bodies of dead heroes from the battlefield, to Valhalla, the home of the gods.
• The Ride Of The Valkyries is arguably the most famous part of Wagner's Ring Cycle. It is known for its fast-paced, energetic rhythm, representing the strong, fierce image of the Valkyrie warriors.

In terms of musical theory, Ride of The Valkyries stands as a quintessential example of leitmotif, a technique Wagner pioneered, wherein a recurring musical theme is associated with a particular character, idea, or emotion.

• The music is composed in a way to vividly portray the flight of the Valkyrie warriors through the sky.
• It uses a variety of musical techniques to achieve this, including large orchestral assemblage with emphasis on the brass and percussion sections, and rapid ascending patterns that mimic the sense of rising and flying.

The Ride of The Valkyries will prove to be a rewarding challenge for an intermediate-to-advanced piano player.

We offer a version of the sheet music that can be easily downloaded after purchase. This version retains the essence of Wagner's original composition, while ensuring it is accessible for intermediate level pianists.