Composer

:

Hugo Wolf

Genre

:

Keyboard

Style

:

Keyboard

Compose Date

:

1880

Average_duration

:

18:00

Hugo Wolf's "Paraphrase über Die Walküre von Richard Wagner" is a piano transcription of the second act of Wagner's opera "Die Walküre." Wolf composed the piece in 1889, and it premiered in Vienna the same year. The piece is divided into three movements, each corresponding to a different scene in the second act of "Die Walküre." The first movement, "The Ride of the Valkyries," is a virtuosic display of piano technique, with rapid arpeggios and thundering chords evoking the galloping horses of the Valkyries. The second movement, "Wotan's Farewell and Magic Fire Music," is a more introspective and lyrical section, with delicate trills and runs representing the flickering flames of the magic fire. The final movement, "The Valkyrie's Rock," is a dramatic and intense section, with pounding rhythms and dissonant harmonies conveying the tension and conflict of the scene. Wolf's "Paraphrase" is notable for its faithful adherence to Wagner's original score, while also showcasing Wolf's own unique style and virtuosity as a pianist. The piece is a testament to Wolf's admiration for Wagner, and his ability to translate the grandeur and drama of Wagner's operas into the intimate setting of the piano.

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