Siegfried’s wife and muse of inspiration. There is nothing else like it in the whole Ring. It is the apogee of Wagner’s purely orchestral art:
(#151b [or is this #5 in a mournful vari?]; #156 hint?’; #? [as if #151b or a #5 vari transforms into #19?]; #103 [or #103a depicting Siegfried’s rowing against the current up the Rhine to Gibichung Hall, mixed with #156?]; #151b plus #103a?: [plus some slow orchestral pulsations reminiscent of the Norns’ music?]: Siegfried has seized the oar and with its strokes drives the boat downstream, so that it is soon lost completely from view.)
Hagen: (sitting motionless, his back resting against the doorpost of the hall) I sit here on watch, (#151b:) guarding the garth, defending the hall from the foe (:#151b): ([[ #161 ]]; #42 or #154 hint?; #? [a Norn-like stir]) (#40 vari:) the wind wafts (#59a, b, or c in minor: [as if #59a, b, or c is transforming into #19?]) Gibich’s son away (:#40 vari), (#45 or #161?; #151?; #103a?) awooing he is going (:#59 frag a, b, or c? [as if transforming into #19?]). (#151/#103) (#92:) His helm is held by a doughty hero (:#92), (#45a or #161a?) (#92b?:) who’ll face every danger for him (:#92b?). (#77?) (#161:; #154/#103 >> :) his very own bride he’ll (#50?:) bring (:#50?) to the Rhine; (#77?) (#?: [perhaps a very subtle hint of the compound motif #20b/#12, which is associated in V.2.2 with Wotan’s account of Erda’s prophecy that with Hagen’s birth the gods’ end won’t be long delayed, and which may also be heard in R.3 when Alberich tells Wotan and Loge to beware of the time when his hoard rises from silent depths to the light of day?]) to me, though, he’ll bring the ring (:#161; :#? [possible hint of the compound motif, #20b/#12, from V.2.2?]). (#151/#37; #12) [[ #162a: ]] You freeborn sons, (#51?; #37?) carefree companions (:#161; :#162a), (#37) ([[ #162b: ]] [is a vari of #162b also heard in T.P in association with the Norns?]) merrily sail on your way (:#162b)! [[ #162 end frag: ]] Though you think him lowly (:#162 end), (#20a minor [with what sounds a bit like #41’s rhythm? again, this seems to be a vari of the compound motif heard in V.2.2, #20b/#12, when Wotan tells Bruennhilde: “the end of the gods won’t long be delayed” and “so take my blessing, Nibelung’s son”?]) you’ll serve him yet, (#12) the Nibelung’s son.
This interlude begins with the second segment of Hagen’s Motif #151b, then evidently segues into #5 (Alberich’s “Wehe! Wehe!” from R.1, his exclamation of anguish after he was rejected by all three Rhinedaughters, and had nothing more to lose in renouncing love for the sake of the Ring’s power). It seems to be transforming into the Ring Motif #19. Then Siegfried’s Youthful Horncall #103a depicts his rowing down the Rhine. #151 (Hagen) mixes with #103a, and we hear some
