Huw Dixon
Four Pieces for Piano, Opus 4 (2024/25)
No 2: Walküre im Spiegel (Valkyrie in the mirror)
The starting point to this was the eponymous Wagnerian theme, both in rhythm and in triadic structure, but with different chords (all major): F, D♭, B♭, G♭. It developed into something unplanned. The basic structure is a “mirror”, A-B-C: C-B-A, with the reflecting point being the repeat at bar 86. A story developed as I was composing.
A is our Valkyrie hanging out on earth, with her horse. It builds up rhythmically and also widens the range on the piano to an initial climax at bar 26.
B1 Loki appears in Bar 29, the rather mischievous messenger appears quietly, tinkling away in the higher registers. The same four chords as we had in A but with his own theme on top. The message delivered, the Valkyrie duly responds.
B2 is the Valkyrie riding up through the sky and clouds with much excitement and energy. Her destination is Valhalla to meet with Odin.
C Odin’s theme. Majestic and measured. After I had written it, I thought it was well worth repeating.
C The second time.
B1 Loki reappears to mark the end of the meeting with Odin and the Valkyrie begins her decent.
B2 Down through the clouds and sky she rides.
A Back on earth, a bit more relaxed than first time around.
The structure of the piece means that each bar is played twice, and indeed the working title of the song was “Twice”. There are a few exceptions, notably the LH chords in bars 9-12 are repeated 3 times towards the end in 144-156, going down an octave each time. Also, there are a few minor differences between the journey up and down in the two Cs.
The world premier studio recording performed by David Mikič can be found on most streaming platforms including YouTube music and Spotify.
The music is © Huw Dixon 2025 and is protected by Protect my work reference 27300250225S042