theValkyriefor the march motive with which Wotan is ush-
ered in. Some beautiful modulatory developments of the march
theme, with which the original horn calls are united, lead to the
impassioned theme in E major, sung by an English horn, which
is the message of Orpheus to the sons of men,e.g.
[Music]
The theme is expanded by means of striking modulations un-
til, in measure 102, it is presented by the full orchestra. Some
rather meaningless repetitions, in detached phrases, of the Or-
pheus theme bring us, in measure 130, to a return of the original
march which is finally proclaimedffwith great power and sonor-
ity. It seems to typify the triumphant justification of Orpheus’s
appearance. The dissonant modulations in the following pas-
sage, beginning measure 155, (in which the double basses take
a dramatic part) have been thought by some to represent re-
alistically the uncouth roars of forest monsters. These outcries
finally subside and in the Coda, beginning at measure 180, we
have first a beautiful reminiscence of Orpheus’s message and
then a last announcement of the march theme, which is now
presented in the form of a long diminuendo, as if the God-like
apparition were slowly withdrawing from our sight. A series of
shifting modulations (adagio and pianissimo) seems to bring a
cloud before our enraptured senses, and the work closes with
a long sustained chord in C major,ppp, giving an elemental
idea of peace and satisfaction. From the standpoint of musical
structure the work is a crescendo followed by a diminuendo and,
poetically considered, is a convincing picture in terms of music
of the effect made upon Liszt’s imagination by the legend of Or-
pheus. Observe that, although the composition is free in form,
it isnotformless.[247] The main lines are the familiar ones of
statement, contrast and restatement,i.e., three-part form, and
the key-relationship is clear and carefully planned.
[Footnote 247: An allegation often brought against Liszt’s work
by those whose conception of “form” is that of a cast-iron mould.]