ABSTRACT
Das Rheingold, the prelude to Wagner’s vast Ring cycle, ends with the gods ascending a rainbow bridge to their new stronghold of Walhall. The price of paradise was high: a mountain of gold topped by a ring of power. “From morning to night, / in anguish and angst, / it wasn’t won sweetly!” recalls Wotan, before assuring the gods that the pain has brought a just reward: “now we shall be secure.” Wotan’s assurances blend with six harps, which in turn give way to the Walhall leitmotif. Played by 13 brass instruments – trumpets, trombones, bass trumpets, contrabass tuba, contrabass trombone, and the specially designed “Wagner tubas” – the Walhall motif is the sound and fury of imperial triumph.
