Richard Wagner (1813-1883) wrote the Ring cycle. He composed the libretti (or text) for each opera in reverse chronological order, starting with the text for Götterdämmerung, and ending with the text (or ‘poem’, as Wagner called it) for Das Rheingold. He then proceeded to compose the score sequentially, starting with Das Rheingold, followed by Die Walküre, Siegfried and lastly Götterdämmerung.
How long is the Ring Cycle?
If played continuously back-to-back, the four operas in Der Ring des Nibelungen would last 15 hours in duration. Das Rheingold is the shortest opera in the cycle, lasting approximately 2 ½ hours without interval. Exclusive of intervals, the music of Die Walküre lasts approximately 5 hours, Siegfried lasts just over 4 hours, and Götterdämmerung lasts approximately 4 ½ hours. Performances of Die Walküre, Siegfried and Götterdämmerung are usually performed with two intervals each, and complete performances of the Ring cycle usually unfold over a minimum of four consecutive days. It is the ultimate artistic and logistical undertaking for any opera company.
How many operas are in the Ring Cycle?
The Ring cycle consists of four operas, the first of which (Das Rheingold – The Rheingold) Wagner described as a Vorabend (preliminary evening), setting the main events of the rest of the cycle in motion. Die Walküre, the second opera in the cycle, marks the start of the story in earnest, with Siegfried and Götterdämmerung continuing the mythic tale to its climactic conclusion.
What are the operas in the Ring Cycle ?
The four operas of Wagner’s Ring cycle are Das Rheingold (The Rheingold), Die Walküre (The Valkryie), Siegfried and Götterdämmerung (Twilight of the gods).
What are the most famous pieces from the Ring Cycle?
The most famous piece of music from the whole cycle is The Ride of the Valkyries, the galloping orchestral fanfare which opens Act III of Die Walküre. Other famous excerpts from the Ring include the Prelude to Das Rheingold, Siegfried’s Journey down the Rhine and Siegfried’s funeral music, and Brünnhilde’s immolation scene, all from Götterdämmerung.
What is the story behind the Ring Cycle?
Inspired by ancient German, Norse and Icelandic Sagas, the Ring cycle tells the mythic story of a ring of power that curses the owner, drawing gods and mortals into an epic tale of rivalry and conspiracy. Wagner was also inspired by Greek tragedy, using the orchestra as a ‘chorus’ to articulate the innermost feelings and motivations of the characters.
All music clubs are performing at this event so please make sure you are practising your part(s) at home.
The rehearsal schedule for the day of the concert (Wednesday 25th March) is below. Please make a note of when you are needed and make sure you have your instrument/music in school with you on that day.
Your teachers will know why you are absent from lessons that day, but it is your responsibility to find out what you missed and catch up.
Usual lunch rehearsals will take place up until the concert.
Here are some things you need to know about the concert itself:
The concert is at 6.30pm in the Hall. It will be finished by 9pm.
You need to wear all black. Not blue, not brown, not patterned, and no big logos. If you want to wear a bit of tinsel etc. on yourself or on your instrument, go for it.
Tickets are £5 on the door for adults or pay via ParentPay. Under 18s and senior citizens are free.
The music classrooms will be available for coats, instrument cases etc. Please arrive in enough time to warm up and get organised.
Any questions, please ask.
When the concert is in progress, you must not hang out in the classrooms or corridors. You need to be at the back of the Hall being a supportive, considerate, appreciative member of the audience who shows awareness of performance etiquette which includes not moving around or talking.
All music clubs will start up again after the Easter.
Good luck to everyone involved in the Mary Poppins Jnr production
Darkest nursery rhymes: the eerie truths hidden in our favourite childhood songs
From Jack and Jill to Three Blind Mice, many of our best-loved nursery rhymes have some sinister meanings behind their cheerful lyrics.
Nursery rhymes have shaped our childhoods for generations. They introduce us to language, nurture early reading skills, and often offer a child’s first brush with music.
But that’s only part of the story. Beneath their cheerful rhythms and playful rhymes lie grim tales of death, disease, violence, and religious strife. Wrapped in innocence, they carry echoes of a far darker past.
Please learn your part(s) so that each performance is the best it can be!
The rehearsal schedule for the day of the concert (Wednesday 25th March) is below. Please make a note of when you are needed and make sure you have your instrument/music in school with you on that day.
Your teachers will know why you are absent from lessons that day, but it is your responsibility to find out what you missed and catch up.
Get ready for a fantastic showcase of sounds at BYMT! 🎶 We’re starting off with a spectacular trio of events: our Festival of Bands, Festival of Orchestra, and Festival of Choirs. These incredible showcases are just around the corner, and tickets are available now at www.bymt.co.uk/events — don’t miss out!
Then we journey deep into the Underworld with our Musical Theatre Production of HADESTOWN, before swapping fire for frost in our Junior Musical Theatre Production of FROZEN. ❄️ These hugely popular shows always sell fast, so be sure to book early at www.bymt.co.uk/events.
This Easter, join us for BYMT EASTER SOUNDS! Perfect for young musicians in school years 3–7—whether they’re just beginning their musical adventure or already confidently playing. We’re offering exciting courses in Strings, Brass, Woodwind, Keyboards, Piano, and Ukulele. Find out more and register at http://www.bymt.co.uk/sounds.
We’d also love your support for our Marathon Heroes, Rodney & Tim, as they take on the London Marathon in aid of BYMT. 🏃♂️🏃♂️ Every donation, big or small, helps fuel their journey. Contribute via https://tinyurl.com/teambymt or contact linda@bymt.co.uk for more ways to get involved.
And make sure to save the date: The BYMT Garden Party – Sunday 5th July A joyful day of live music from all our bands, groups, and orchestras—bring your friends, family, and sunshine vibes!
To hear all our musical news following us on Facebook and Instagram: @bromleyyouthmusic
Here is a selection of books which are tried and tested by creatives which focus on specific areas such as orchestration, notation and productivity, or provide an informative overview of the overall compositional practice.
Orchestration
The Study of Orchestration Samuel Adler, published in 2016 by W. W. Norton and Company
Written by a renowned composer whose works have been performed by major orchestras around the world, The Study of Orchestration is the only text that explores the characteristics of orchestral instruments and shows how a master composer approaches orchestration. Principles of Orchestration Nikolay Rimsky Korsakov, published in 1965 by Dover Publications Ltd.
This book will undoubtedly be of value to any composer. In it, Korsakov aims to provide the reader with the fundamental principles of modern orchestration from the standpoint of brilliance and imagination, and he devotes considerable space to the study of tonal resonance and orchestral combination. In his course, he demonstrates such things as how to produce a good-sounding chord of certain tone-quality, uniformly distributed; how to detach a melody from its harmonic setting; correct progression of parts; and other similar problems.
Harmony & Counterpoint
20th Century Harmony: Creative Aspects and PracticesVincent Persichetti, published in 1961 by W. W. Norton & Company.
Here for the first time is an orderly presentation of the harmonic procedures to be found in music of the first half of the twentieth-century. The author examines the nature of intervals in various contexts, discusses the modes and other scales employed in modern music, describes the formation and uses of chords by thirds, by fourths, and by seconds, of added-note chords and polychords; he deals with different types of harmonic motion, with harmonic rhythm and dynamic sand ornamentation, with harmonic behaviour in tonality, polytonality, atonality and serial composition. Fundamentals of Music CompositionArnold Schoenberg, published in 1999 by Faber & Faber
This book represents the culmination of more than forty years in Schoenberg’s life devoted to the teaching of musical principles to students and composers in Europe and America. For his classes he developed a manner of presentation in which ‘every technical matter is discussed in a very fundamental way, so that at the same time it is both simple and thorough’. The Study of Counterpoint Johann Joseph Fux, published in 1965 by W. W. Norton & Company
The most celebrated book on counterpoint is Fux’s great theoretical work Gradus ad Parnassum. Since its appearance in 1725, it has been used by and has directly influenced the work of many of the greatest composers. J. S. Bach held it in high esteem, Leopold Mozart trained his famous son from its pages, Haydn worked out every lesson with meticulous care, and Beethoven condensed it into an abstract for ready reference.
Notation
Behind Bars Elaine Gould, published in 2011 by Faber Music This is the indispensable reference book for composers, arrangers, teachers and students of composition, editors, and music processors. In the most thorough and painstakingly researched book to be published since the 1980s, specialist music editor Elaine Gould provides a comprehensive grounding in notational principles. It covers everything from basic rules, conventions and themes to complex instrumental techniques, empowering the reader to prepare music with total clarity and precision. Music Notation in Twentieth Century Kurt Stone, published in 1980 by W. W. Norton & Company
Stone is undoubtedly one of the world’s leading authorities on contemporary music notation and its problems. As head of the Index of New Musical Notation, he collected and categorised the myriad new devices appearing in published music of this century. In collaboration with professional performers and conductors, he evaluated these devices in order to determine their effectiveness in practical application. At the International Conference on New Music Notation 1974, a consensus was sought from the eighty participating musicians from eighteen different countries. The results have been incorporated into this volume in the clearest and most direct way.
Well done to all who performed in MusicFest and thank you to those of you who helped set up/tidied away or came to support as an audience member. Keep an eye on HayesCreates for the video.
Here’s the video for MusicFest back in November:
Next up:
1) Mary Poppins – 19th-21st March
2) Spring Concert – 25th March (all music clubs are involved in this)
Please speak to Miss W and Mr B to find out what you can do to help set up on the day.
FREE TICKETS FOR TEENS!
Get your free ticket to see Emma and Will perform a fab programme of music with the NYO during the Easter holidays at the Royal Festival Hall in London.
A reminder to members of HUB that we will be having an extra rehearsal this Thursday 22nd January at 3-4pm in CGG in order to prepare for our visit to St Mary’s Church in Hayes in a couple of weeks.
Starlight Express trip
Thank you to those of you who came on this trip. We hope you enjoyed it!
MusicFests are informal concerts where students from any year group can perform pieces of their own choice to a friendly and supportive audience. We always have a huge range of music, from students’ very first public performance to students who are already hugely experienced musicians. We have all styles of music from classical to rock to musical theatre and students’ own compositions. There are solos, duets and groups. One of the loveliest thngs about these events is when students from different year groups work on something together. They are also a great opportunity for GCSE and A Level Music students to practise their performance skills. MusicFests are always a much loved event on the Hayes Music calendar.
Here is the video from a recent MusicFest so you can get a flavour of what it’s like:
Hayes Music blog 