The Nephelai
ISMN : 979-0-2325-6371-8
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Written for and premiered by Tonkunstler Orchestra, conducted by the composer at Grafenegg Festival, August 2015.
In Greek mythology, the Nephelai were demi goddess dedicated to rain,clouds and wet weather.
They played a role in providing life giving water for crops, but could also damage and destroy the livelihood of ancient Greece.
In this work I attempt to create a sound world akin to these spirits, but also with some tension inspired from the Aeschylus quote below, where Prometheus hears of the coming weather, attributed to the Nephelai.
Aeschylus, Prometheus Bound 115-285 (trans. Weir Smyth) Greek tradgedy C5th B.C.
Prometheus, who has been chained to the mountain crag:
Ha! Behold! What murmur, what scent wings to me, its source invisible,
Heavenly or human, or both?
Has someone come to this crag at the edge of the world to stare at my sufferings-orwith what motive?
What may be this rustling stir of birds I hear again nearby?
The air whits with the light rush of wings.
Whatever approaches causes me alarm.
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