Wotan's Farewell to His Daughter

[Chaszz]

Another bleeding chunk without peer. The slowdown and transformation of the vigorously masculine descending spear motif into a deep and noble expression of tragedy is surely one of the most amazing feats of themic variation in music. I listened to it for several years without even realizing it was the theme of the spear! Recently Lorin Maazel was questioned about what kind of a task it would be to compose a work like The Ring and answered (to the effect that) it would be relatively easy, because the leitmotifs contained all the basic musical material and all the composer had to do was pull one out and use it at the appropriate time. I believe this movement gives the lie to this glib assertion. Only a genius could have transformed this leitmotif into this very different masterpiece of symphonic grandeur, worthy of Beethoven. I am sorry that I feel the Magic Fire Music which follows the Farewell is a bit of a letdown for me; magical though it is, it is not at this supreme level.

Any other thoughts on this sublime chunk?

[uffeviking]

All I can do is to voice my agreement, to the fullest, including your last part, the letdown of the Fire Music. I can not judge it from a musician's view but from my impression as a listener: It's puny! There should be a huge and violent outbreak of fire, not those weak flute sounds, pretty as they are. I want to ask Loge if that's all he can come up with! 

[max]

Recently Lorin Maazel was questioned about what kind of a task it would be to compose a work like The Ring and answered (to the effect that) it would be relatively easy, because the leitmotifs contained all the basic musical material and all the composer had to do was pull one out and use it at the appropriate time.

This reminds me of Bach. Someone asked him - I don't remember the exact words - what was the secret to his playing the harpsichord and organ so effortlessly? He responded 'oh it's easy! All you have to do is hit the right notes at the right time!

If Maazel actually said that - a conductor I respect - I would ask him how come we don't have more of the same or of equal genius as that manifested in the Ring?

To me, the whole episode commencing from 'In festen Schlaf' to the very last note is one seamless piece of total majesty and humanity. A greater conception of Wotan summoning Loge to create the Firewall around Brunnhilde in league with everything that has gone before is impossible to imagine. I don't imagine Beethoven would have imagined it either!

[Chaszz]

This reminds me of Bach. Someone asked him - I don't remember the exact words - what was the secret to his playing the harpsichord and organ so effortlessly? He responded 'oh it's easy! All you have to do is hit the right notes at the right time!

If Maazel actually said that - a conductor I respect - I would ask him how come we don't have more of the same or of equal genius as that manifested in the Ring?

To me, the whole episode commencing from 'In festen Schlaf' to the very last note is one seamless piece of total majesty and humanity. A greater conception of Wotan summoning Loge to create the Firewall around Brunnhilde in league with everything that has gone before is impossible to imagine. I don't imagine Beethoven would have imagined it either!

Bach also said (gist only) "I had to work hard. Anyone could have accomplished what I have, if he'd applied himself as thoroughly."

Not quite, Maestro!