The Military Origin of Wagner's Valkyries

Despite its grand reputation, this iconic musical theme was never intended to be an anthem. Wagner actually wrote it to depict the supernatural, lightning-fast flight of warrior maidens gathering fallen heroes.

This piece serves as the dramatic opening to the third act of Die Walkure. The composition uses intense, swirling melodies to capture the intensity of mythical warriors riding through storm clouds. While many people now associate the track with cinematic warfare, it was originally crafted as a small part of a sprawling four-part operatic cycle. Its shift from stage music to a pop culture staple is one of the most successful migrations in musical history.