The Ride of the Valkyries, by Richard Wagner, in a classic recording with Wilhelm Furtwangler and the Vienna Philharmonic. Illustrations are by Arthur Rackham.
"One golden summer in adolescence......
The Ride of the Valkyries, by Richard Wagner, in a classic recording with Wilhelm Furtwangler and the Vienna Philharmonic. Illustrations are by Arthur Rackham.
"One golden summer in adolescence...I heard the 'Ride of the Valkyries' on a gramophone and saw Arthur Rackham's illustrations to The Ring." (C.S.Lewis)
The music: probably the most famous and instantly identifiable of Wagner's works is this short orchestral prelude from Die Walkure, the second opera in the monumental Der Ring des Nibelungen. It has gone on to enter popular culture, being used in many films, most notably the helicopter attack sequence in Apocalypse Now. In terms of composition it perfectly demonstrates Wagner's epic sense of drama, and also his masterful orchestration.
The conductor: Wilhelm Furtwangler is probably unrivalled as an interpreter of the core Austro-German Romantic repertoire, setting benchmarks in the performance of Beethoven, Schubert, Brahms, Wagner, Bruckner and others. His recordings include two complete Ring Cycles, both of them classics.
The illustrations: Arthur Rackham was one of the greatest illustrators at the turn of the 19th century, creating classic visions for fairy tales and fantasies (Alice, Peter Pan, etc.). His work on Der Ring des Nibelungen is often considered one of the finest visual depictions of Wagner's epic.
Sound: sorry the quality isn't first class - the recording is nearly sixty years old! (Imagine what Furtwangler could do with digital surround sound...)
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Quite the work of conceit and judgement you have here, although I must admit, I find it quite fitting for the music of Wagner, the anti-semite.
I don't mean to juxtapose you with anti-semitism or anything, just thought I'd point out that as intellectual as you may consider classical music to be, it is not free of ignorance or malice.
You have no trouble pointing out vice in those that are different than you, but you fail to consider the immorality of those who share your interests.
Everyone I know who listens to classical music identifies themselves as a nerd or geek, myself included. I mean, the "cool kids" and fratboys are all obviously too goddamned stupid and ADD to appreciate it, and just love any garbage the pop stations toss at them.
The Disney Channel is the worst trash on television besides Fox News.
I considered not responding to this but figured that maybe a little more explanation could make me look perhaps 2 points better.
Autoshare makes certain YouTube activities public on the services you choose. Select only the services you are comfortable with - like Facebook, Twitter, or Google Reader - to let your friends know what you like on YouTube. You can turn Autoshare off at any time.
I don't mean to juxtapose you with anti-semitism or anything, just thought I'd point out that as intellectual as you may consider classical music to be, it is not free of ignorance or malice.
You have no trouble pointing out vice in those that are different than you, but you fail to consider the immorality of those who share your interests.
The Disney Channel is the worst trash on television besides Fox News.
I considered not responding to this but figured that maybe a little more explanation could make me look perhaps 2 points better.
And I listen to Classical Music/Jazz/Blues/Hard Rock/Heavy Metal (and various subgenres of metal)