Introduction

Lyrics for Introduction

In the final scene of Götterdämmerung when Brünnhilde Decides to carry out Wotan's wish, this combination of Motives is heard again, but now with further motives added The first of these is the base theme of the Need Of the Gods, which we heard a little earlier Here it is again And here's the final cadence of the Valhalla motive again The phrase that sets the seal of nobility on the motive Now we can turn to the final scene of Götterdämmerung where Brünnhilde apostrophizes Wotan, assuring him that she will now Carry out his wish and adding the solemn words, "Rest, rest Thou god." Accompanying these words in the orchestra, we hear The same quiet reference to the Rhinemaiden's cry of Rheingold Followed by the alternating chords of the Valhalla motive that we Heard in act one when Waltraud told Brünnhilde of Wotan's wish But now these are followed by a slowed down reference to the motive Of the Need of the Gods, itself, as we know, a combination of the Motives of Erde, The Twilight of the Gods and Wotan's frustration And lastly, the final cadence of the Valhalla Motive setting its seal of nobility on the whole Here's the entire passage And so Wagner compresses the essence of six different Motives into a single brief passage to look back over Wotan's whole stormy existence and to indicate that it is Now at last being brought to a peaceful and noble conclusion