Wagner Leitmotives - 56 - Siegfried

Leitmotives from Richard Wagner's Der Ring des Nibelungen (Ring Cycle).

This leitmotif is known as "Siegfried" from Die Walküre (The Valkyrie) which is first heard in the third act. This leitmotif represents the son of Sieglinde and Siegmund, Siegfried. This leitmotif draws its origins from the leitmotif, "Erda" (in the circled notes of the first portion). It should also be noted that the these musical relationships are also based on the relationships between characters within the drama. Sieglinde and Siegmund we born from Wotan and another unnamed mortal.

Leitmotives associated with "Siegfried" are:
"Erda"

[ApsisApocynthion]

It doesn't get better than this motif. There are prettier ones sure, but that's not my definition of better. When this plays in the right moments my heart just moves and idk where it goes, but it doesn't stay in my chest.

[heavyweaponsgaming]

I swear, every heroic theme--Force theme, this motif, Ben Hur's theme, etc.--looks the same on paper, yet they all have their own originality. Shows how great these composers are.

[skaisaliveandwell]

Possibly my favourite thing in the world.

[anon-rfsx]

The Force theme from Star Wars always sounds to me very much like this theme. Not a surprise, John Williams took inspiration from many classical composers to write Star Wars' music, including Wagner, of course.

[PartyMoth]

These are spectacular and very helpful in my studies of The Ring! They'll definitely help as I study the scores and listen for important cues.

[Nihonjin]

I'm very pleased to hear that! If there is anything I can provide to assist in the study and/or appreciation of music, I will do my best to accommodate!

[Matthias]

"Sieglinde, Siegmund, and the rest of the Walsungs created from Wotan's encounter with Erda."
False
The Walsungs (Sieglinde and Siegmund) created from Wotans's encounter with a woman (human) unknowed
The Walkure created from Wotan's encounter with Erda.

[KarenSDR]

By the way, I'm enjoying your series very much. I've enjoyed music all my life, but haven't really studied it beyond playing viola in high school, so I'm learning a lot.

[Nihonjin]

I'm certainly not saying you are wrong and definitely not saying I'm correct either, but I did some further research and found some conflicting statements. Some resources saying that Walsungs were created by Wotan and Erda (including my notes) and some resources that are saying created by Wotan eloping with a mortal. I'll change it in the description as something that needs to be confirmed and I'll ask my professor about it when I get a chance. Thanks for looking out.

[verdragon]

This would make an amazing superhero theme

[matthiasfoo]

i heard star wars... spiderman ps4...danny elfman's unused justice league heroes theme... and crisis on infinite earths

[KarenSDR]

I just watched the Ring cycle on PBS and my memory is that the Valkyries were the offspring of Wotan and Erda, but the Walsungs came from Wotan and an unnamed mortal woman.

[chaImers]

looks like john williams used this as inspiration again

shame the rest of the show’s soundtrack sucks

[tomaskildisius]

So which one is right one - the thing being played, or the thing that is written? :)

[longlifetometal]

Also known as Prince Charming's leitmotiv in Shrek 2 (and I'm not making this up).

[Nihonjin]

You are correct, I have checked with more knowledgeable teacher on the Ring and Norse Mythology and I have since corrected my statement.