“Ride of the Valkyries” is probably the best known melody from Wagner`s “Ring” cycle. It begins with the prelude to act three of the opera “Valkyrie”, the other operas being “Rhinegold” and “Siegfried” and “Goetterdaemmerung” which come after “Valkyrie”.
In “Rhinegold” the Nibelung Alberich  renunciated love`s lust and stole the Rhinegold to forge the “Ring” which gives unlimited power. Wotan, father of all gods , had his fortress-castle built by the giants Fafner and Fasold as a symbol of his power. But he had to give up the eternal youth of the gods by abandoning the beautiful Freia, goddess of youth. Later he succeeds in steeling the “Ring” with a trick and presents it to the giants in exchange for Freia. At the end of “Rhinegold” he marches into “Walhall” with great pomp.
According to Germanic legend the “Valkyries” are female warriors who in Wotan´s name escort fallen heroes to “Walhall” in order to defend the fortress-castle should Alberich regain the “Ring” and start an attack with the Nibelungs.
At the beginning of the above mentioned third act the audience, that has  just returned from a break, is overwhelmed by the music and the vision of the belligerent “Valkyries” and their chosen heroes riding across the heavens mounted on their steeds and then gathering on the Valkyrie rock. To describe the resounding powerful music is superfluous for it is so well known.
The music to “Ride of the Valkyries” has been used to great effect in a variety of films, ranging from the helicopter scene in “Apocalypse Now” to “What´s opera, Doc?”, where it is lampooned and “Repo Man”, where Duke and his gang hum the tune, presumably to increase their self-confidence before committing a robbery. 


Level 1.5 consists of single notes only in both hands.
Level 2 has a much fuller left hand and an extended ending compared to Level 1.5.
Level 2.5 has a more complicated left hand, including chords and octaves.
Level 3 includes the introduction and includes octaves in the right hand and even fuller voicings.
Level K is identical to Level 1.5 in right hand and length