Music Guide Siegfried

Wagners Oevre holds many musical mysteries. The opera Siegfried is no exception:

• How is Siegfried's maturation into a man reflected in his motifs?
• Why are forest birds and Rhinemaidens musically related?
• What message is contained in the World Heritage motif?

The Siegfried music guide provides answers. A short synopsis of each scene provides an immediate overview. The leitmotifs and musical design of the work are clearly explained using musical examples. The audio samples make the explanations easy to understand.

Scope

• 56 pages
• 42 sheet music and audio examples, playable in the browser of your smartphone or PC

Reading sample

Mime had tried without success to mend the sword in the conventional way. Siegfried defies all conventions of the blacksmith's art: The revolutionary breaks the sword into smaller fragments before melting them and casting them into a new form. He christens the sword with its old name, Notung:

♫ Example 24: Notung motif

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The Notung motif is characterized by falling octaves ("exclamation points"), which are also part of the sword motif.

The outmoded form is replaced, substance and name of the sword, symbols for soul and destiny, remain. Then Siegfried kindles a mighty fire and melts down the small pieces of the sword. The melting song is determined by the falling lines of the Wanderlust motif:

♫ Example 25: Derivation of melting song. In the audio example, the freedom sequences of the Wanderlust motif are first played in the original and in the rhythm of the melting song. Then the melting song follows.

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The motif essentially consists of the freedom sequences of the Wanderlust motif (Example 18). The sword is a symbol of freedom for Siegfried. Armed with it, he finally wants to leave Mime. In contrast to the creative vitality motif, here numerous sequences each follow the preceding sequence one tone lower. In the melting down, the notes fall musically as well.

While Siegfried pours the molten metal into a new mould and forges the sword, Mime brews a sleeping potion with the help of which he intends to kill Siegfried. (...)

Samples

To hear all the audio examples click on the image

Arthur Rackham: Siegfried drinks Fafners blood (1911)

1. Derivation brooding motif
2. Mime's displeasure
3. Woe motif
4. Forge motif
5. Hoard motif
6. Prelude Act 1
7. Sword motif
8. Dragon motif
9. Horn motif
10. Siegfried motif
11. Siegfried motif in Act 3
12. Rant motif
13. Derivation Mime motif
14. Mime's education song
15. Siegfried's longing for love
16. Wälsungs’ motif
17. Wälsungs’ suffering and Sieglinde
18. Wanderlust motif
19. Wanderer motif
20. Contract motif
21. Mime's fear
22. Derivation slumber motif
23. Creative vitality motif
24. Notung motif
25. Melting song
26. Derivation Fafner motif
27. Curse motif
28. Hate motif
29. Forest weave motif
30. Wood bird motif
31. Erda motif
32. Twilight of the Gods motif
33. Disgruntlement motif
34. Ride motif
35. Sleep motif
36. Fate motif
37. World heritage motif
38. Love spell motif
39. Love confusion motif
40. World greeting motif
41. Love greeting motif
42. Love covenant motif

Order information

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