WGBH Radio WGBH Radio theclassicalstation.org

Ride Of The Valkyries / Ormandy, Philadelphia Orchestra


Release Date: 04/22/2009 
Label:  Rca   Catalog #: 38286  
Composer:  Richard Wagner
Conductor:  Eugene Ormandy
Orchestra/Ensemble:  Philadelphia Orchestra
Number of Discs: 1 
Recorded in: Stereo 
Length: 0 Hours 59 Mins. 

In Stock: Usually ships in 24 hours.  

Notes and Editorial Reviews

*** This title is a reissue of a Japanese release with liner notes in Japanese. ***

WAGNER Die Walküre: Ride of the Valkyries; Magic Fire Music. Siegfried: Forest Murmurs. Das Rheingold: Invocation of Alberich and Entrance of the Gods into Valhalla. Götterdämmerung: Dawn and Siegfried’s Rhine Journey; Siegfried’s Funeral March; Immolation Scene • Eugene Ormandy, cond; Read more Philadelphia O • RCA-ArkivMusic 38286 (58:47)


The playing order of this disc is as given in the headnote; I suppose the operas were rearranged in order to start the disc off with the Ride of the Valkyries , which also serves as the title of the disc. All the music is strictly orchestral; where necessary, vocal lines are given to instruments. This hour (almost) of Ring bleeding chunks is glorious; of course, the Philadelphia Orchestra had been playing Wagner in various forms since the early Stokowski days. The Rheingold excerpt is probably his arrangement; it begins with the “Curse” motive, followed by the descent to Nibelheim, and segues into Donner’s call. The two Walküre excerpts are in the usual form, as is the Forest Murmurs . The Rhine Journey is given in a generous version that includes the climax and end of the Siegfried-Brünnhilde duet; it has a concert ending rather than the quiet music that leads into act I. Finally, the Immolation Scene , 7-1/2 minutes’ worth, begins with Brünnhilde’s call to Wotan’s ravens.


The Ride of the Valkyries and Forest Murmurs were recorded at Town Hall in 1969; the rest of the music was done at the Scottish Rite Cathedral in 1971. The sound is quite good, lacking only the last measure of immediacy; the brass section truly shines. If you like your Wagner in purely orchestral guise, this is a great way to get it.

FANFARE: Richard A. Kaplan
Read less

Works on This Recording

1.
Die Walküre: Ride of the Valkyries by Richard Wagner
Conductor:  Eugene Ormandy
Orchestra/Ensemble:  Philadelphia Orchestra
Period: Romantic 
Written: 1856; Germany 
 Date of Recording: 10/01/1969 
2.
Die Walküre: Magic Fire Music by Richard Wagner
Conductor:  Eugene Ormandy
Orchestra/Ensemble:  Philadelphia Orchestra
Period: Romantic 
Written: 1856; Germany 
 Date of Recording: 03/1971 
3.
Siegfried: Forest Murmurs [Instrumental] by Richard Wagner
Conductor:  Eugene Ormandy
Orchestra/Ensemble:  Philadelphia Orchestra
Period: Romantic 
Written: 1871; Germany 
 Date of Recording: 10/01/1969 
4.
Das Rheingold: Entrance of the Gods into Valhalla by Richard Wagner
Conductor:  Eugene Ormandy
Orchestra/Ensemble:  Philadelphia Orchestra
Period: Romantic 
Written: 1854; Germany 
 Date of Recording: 03/1971 
5.
Götterdämmerung: Dawn and Siegfried's Rhine Journey by Richard Wagner
Conductor:  Eugene Ormandy
Orchestra/Ensemble:  Philadelphia Orchestra
Period: Romantic 
Written: 1874; Germany 
 Date of Recording: 03/1971 
6.
Götterdämmerung: Siegfried's Funeral Music by Richard Wagner
Conductor:  Eugene Ormandy
Orchestra/Ensemble:  Philadelphia Orchestra
Period: Romantic 
Written: 1874; Germany 
 Date of Recording: 03/1971 
7.
Götterdämmerung: Immolation [instrumental] by Richard Wagner
Conductor:  Eugene Ormandy
Orchestra/Ensemble:  Philadelphia Orchestra
Period: Romantic 
Written: 1874; Bayreuth, Germany 
 Date of Recording: 03/1971 

Customer Reviews

Average Customer Review:  ( 1 Customer Review )
 Outstanding Recordings Of Wagner! June 14, 2019 By Arthur W. (Bronx, NY) See All My Reviews "These recordings have outstanding sound and have been underrated for years. They are equal to what Leopold Stokowski produced over the years as well as the Szell / Cleveland Orchestra versions." Report Abuse
Review This Title
Review This Title Share on Facebook