The Greatist Recordings of All Time

#59-"Ride of the Valkaries"
by Richard Wagner
performed by "United States Marine Band"

From Wagner's epic four cycle Opera -The Ring-"Valkaries" is a stunning
and instantly recognizable piece of classical music.While during his lifetime Wagner had his
share of detractors;his music was quite differant from that of his contemperaries so it's
understandable that for some-Wagner's Horn and Woodwind drivin' compositions were
not everyone's cup of tea.
Of coarse now Wagner is fully accepted as one of classical music's greatist composer's.
As bombastic as some of his music can be you can't deny that there is a very strong and
emotionally charged sense to it."Flight of the Valkaries" is a perfect example.It instantly
grab's your attention.When it was used in the film "Apocalypse Now" it became exposed
to a new and much larger audience.Wagner was a follower of Frans Listz and he even
married one of Listz's daughters.People who only know "Valkaries" from it's use in
"Apocalypse Now" may not know who Richard Wagner is but that doesn't stop them from,
being tremendously moved by his music.