Soundtracks:
Apocalypse Now
Excalibur
One Two Three
Blues Brothers
8
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The Ride of the Valkyries
It is hard to write briefly about a Wagner piece. This megalomaniac
artist, was highly opinionated and decisive in every matter related to
his music. He fought and struggled and wrote and spoke ill against everyone
who did not think the same as him, and he is perhaps the best proof of
a petty man who can be a great artist, and that there is no link between
talent and personal morality.
In his operas, Wagner further developed the "leitmotif" (guiding
motif) system, in which a musical motif is tied to an idea, a figure or
an object. Every time the motif is played, it implies the idea or character
it represents. In an opera by Wagner, music fully participates in the plot
and reflects dramatic development, constituting a necessary component in
this development and in presenting the story. In a way, Wagner was the
first in art history to implement multimedia in a meaningful manner. The
combination of arts in his operas is natural and sophisticated - just like
the person behind them.
Note, that "The Valkyries" is only a small part of the opera
cycle he created ("The Ring"), however it is indeed the most
popular of his works, and, unlike his other work, many people can listen
to it with some enjoyment. His other works are too "heavy", and
a lot less pleasant on the ear. As Mark Twain once said about Wagner's
music: "They tell me Wagner's music is better than it sounds...".
Many praise his writing, yet not all of them are prone to listen to it.
A famous scene in the movie "Apocalypse Now", accompanied
by the music of the "Valkyries", made this tune more familiar
than ever. A new audience, broader than before, enjoying the helicopters
circling to Wagner's sounds, decided to give it a chance, and purchased
different recorded performances of this opera.
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