23BA26FE-D0F6-4E9E-B115-E4EF82999F31
| ID | 23BA26FE-D0F6-4E9E-B115-E4EF82999F31 |
|---|---|
| Titlecode | R00921 |
| Title Name | Orpheus |
| Marketing Copy | This is the myth of Orpheus, whose magical playing of the ancient lyre charmed beasts and moved stones and trees to follow him. Commissioned by the Cleveland Chamber Symphony 1994. |
| Instrumentation | Narrator (Baritone), 3 speakers (Tenor, Bass, Soprano) 1.1.1.1: 2.2.1.0: Timpani.Percussion(2).Piano.Harp: Strings |
| Commission | Commissioned by the Cleveland Chamber Symphony 1994 |
| Dedication | (not set) |
| Program Notes | In 1994, the Cleveland Chamber Symphony commissioned Walker to compose ORPHEUS, which premiered the following year. This work adds to a long tradition of musical representations of the Greek legend of Orpheus, the lyre player and epitome among musicians. The earliest surviving opera (1600) used this story, and it recurred frequently in operas and cantatas through the next 300 years. In the 20th century, Strvinsky+s ORPHEUS ballet of 1948 was perhaps the best representative before Walker+s composition. Walker+s ORPHEUS begins with a narrator summarizing the tale. The music then protrays the story through six parts: I. A pensive introduction features the (lyre-like) harp, and a fanfare announces the wedding of Orpheus and his beloved Euridice. The initial celebratory dancing becomes gradually frenetic, full of fore-boding. II. A delicate musical description of Euridice leads to the tender sadness of her death descent to the Underworld. III. The music portrays that region, where soon we hear voices of its inhabitants. Then the plea of Orpheus is answered by Hades+ command that he may not look back while guiding Euridice into the land of the living. IV. Briefly, we hear the ascent of Orpheus and Euridice. V. Orpheus has not been able to resist looking at his beloved. Now he becomes agitated, knowing he will lose her forever. VI. Euridice cries out to her husband, but to no avail. The music and narration now relate the hopeless fate of Orpheus and he dies. -Dr. Michael Fink (appeared in San Jose Symphony program, 2/99) |
| Title Brand | 2 |
| Year Composed | 1994 |
| Copyright Number | (not set) |
| Copyright Year | (not set) |
| Duration | 18 |
| Ensemble Size | 13 |
| Date Created | 2008-10-31 20:31:19.000000 |
| Date Updated | 2025-09-30 20:31:19 |
| Inhouse Note | (not set) |
| Bsc Code | (not set) |
| Text Author | (not set) |
| Premier Performance Memo | (not set) |
| Recording Credits | Recorded by The Cleveland Chamber Symphony, Albany Records CD TROY 270. |
| Review | (not set) |
| Awards | (not set) |
| Title Category | 12 |
| Title Movements | (not set) |
| Title Grade | (not set) |
| Set Series ID | (not set) |
| Title Instrument Category Text | Other Voice Type |
| Title Sub Category Text | (not set) |
| Title Sub Category | 55 |
| Title Instrument Header | 75 |
| Title Grade Text | (not set) |
| Clean Url | orpheus-r00921 |