Ride of the Valkyries (Wolfgang) (score & parts) - 4BSN

Ride of the Valkyries
for four bassoon
by Richard Wagner (1813-1883)- German opera composer

Arranged by Gernot Wolfgang

This is the printed music.  To buy the PDF download, click HERE.

This arrangement of Richard Wagner’s  The Ride of the Valkyries for four bassoons was commissioned by the Wagner Society of Santa Fe, New Mexico for the occasion of a special  event honoring the artistic team of the Santa Fe Opera’s 2025 production of Die Walküre.

I asked the commissioners beforehand if they wanted a traditional sounding arrangement, or if they’d be happy with my point of view of the piece of music. The answer was: “We want your take on it!”.

I ended up starting the arrangement as true to the original material as possible, and then slowly introduced my own musical elements. About two thirds in the new harmonic and rhythmic ideas take over and guide the arrangement to its conclusion.

My thanks go to Yoko Arthur for initiating this commission, and to Karen Kleeman for making it possible.

The length of the arrangement is 2’30”.

Gernot Wolfgang, Santa Fe, November 2025