Relayed from the National Museum of Wales

National Orchestra of Wales
(Cerdorffa Genedlaethol Cymru)

In Wagner's opera, it is the morning after Siegfried the Fearless has made his way through the Ring of Fire about the sleeping Brunnhilde, to claim her as his bride. To fulfil his destiny he must leave her in search of new adventures, and she gives him her horse Grane.
The first theme heard in this extract is the motive of Brunnhilde's love for Siegfried, and this grows in strength and vigour to become a great salute to the Morning Sun. The Valkyrie motive is used at the point where Grane is given to Siegfried, and a little later when we hear the sound of Siegfried's horn, he is making his way down the slopes to the Rhine. There is a reminder of the Fire Music as he passes through the flames again. The motives of the Rhine itself and of the Ring can be heard, as well as a hint of the grim Hagen who plays so sinister a part in the story.

(to 12.45)