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. 

Low Stock: Currently 3 or fewer in stock. Usually ships in 24 hours, unless stock becomes depleted.  

This CD is reissued by ArkivMusic.

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

Be the first to review this title
Review This Title
Review This Title Share on Facebook