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Richard WagnerRomantic (1870)
Ride of the Valkyries (Die Walküre)
Die Walküre, WWV 86B (Act III) — The definitive test of rhythmic endurance, dotted-eighth precision in 9/8 meter, and heroic projection over full orchestral strings.
Bass ClefB minor / D Major9/8 | Lebhaft (♩. = 84-92)Audition Tier:★★★★☆
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6 notes in phrase
Alternate Slide Positions & Legato Route Strategy
Rapid slide transitions between B3 (4th pos/7th pos) and D4 (1st pos). Minimize wrist drag by leading with fingers.
Orchestral Audition Jury Checklist
Verify each criterion during slow practice before bringing the excerpt up to concert tempo:
Strict triplet subdivision: Avoid morphing 9/8 into a lazy dotted 2/4 rhythm
Staccato lift on the sixteenth note while keeping the eighth note broad
Endurance: Sustaining heroic energy across multiple repetitions without fatigue
Accented downbeats with laser-sharp front articulation
Historical Context & Performance Tradition
Wagner envisioned four trombones carrying the mythical ride of Odin’s daughters through thunderous storm clouds.
Era: Romantic (1870) | From: Die Walküre, WWV 86B (Act III)
Recommended Bore, Bell & Mouthpiece Setup
Courtois Legend AC420 or Bach 42BO with Bach 5G mouthpiece.
Orchestral Audition & Slide Kinematics Matrix
Measure-by-measure jury evaluation points, alternate slide routes, and conservatory audition benchmarks.
| Section & Measures | Clef & Pitch Range | Audition Jury Evaluation Focus | Alternate Slide & Acoustic Strategy | Orchestral Audition Standard |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Act III: Ride of the Valkyries (Main Theme mm. 1–28) | Bass Clef · B1 – F#4 | Galloping heroic dotted rhythm (dotted eighth - sixteenth). Unflinching dynamic power without dragging tempo. | Alternate between 5th position (F#3/F#4), 4th position (B3/D4), and 2nd position (C#4/E4) to streamline dotted figures. | Bayreuth Festival & Metropolitan Opera standard preliminary trombone audition. |
| Act III (Tutti Climax Rehearsal 12) | Bass Clef · G1 – G4 | Enormous brass penetrative power over 100-piece orchestral tutti. Complete breath recharge in micro-rests. | Use 4th position for high G4 if preceded by D4 for seamless harmonic economy. | Heavy Germanic repertoire audition benchmark worldwide. |