DESCRIPTION:
In Greek mythology, it is well known that the hero Odysseus had a brief encounter with creatures known as the Sirens—creatures who would enchant approaching sailors with their irresistible singing voices, driving them to crash their ships on jagged rocks in an attempt to reach the singers. Odysseus survived by plugging the ears of his sailors with beeswax so they could not hear their song. What is perhaps less known is that the legendary musician Orpheus had a much more dangerous encounter with the Sirens long before Odysseus had even been born. This piece depicts that tale, an episode from an epic made alive in music.

Orpheus travelled with Jason and the Argonauts as one of Jason's companions in a quest to find the Golden Fleece. As the heroes sailed on, Orpheus would play his lyre, invigorating the Argonauts to continue ever onward. They sailed near the island Anthemoessa, home of the enchanting Sirens, who sent forth their song to the Argonauts—drawing them, enrapturing them. As they fell deeper into the folds of the song, they sensed overtones of foreboding and danger becoming ever more evident, but they found no strength to resist the music. Only the powerful, beautiful music of Orpheus' lyre posed a match for the alluring Sirens' voices, and only after a lengthy battle of sound and song was Orpheus able to overcome the Sirens' bewitching music and break the spell on his companions. The Argonauts then sailed on unharmed—but the voices of the Sirens remained behind them, awaiting their next unsuspecting catch.

As you listen to this piece, listen for how the harp depicts Orpheus and the flute and viola embody the voices of the Sirens. The rising tension and inevitable battle between the harp and the rest of the ensemble parallels Orpheus' struggle to overpower the otherwise irresistible Siren song with the heroic notes of his harp.

Performed at Thomas Yee's Senior Recital on April 11, 2014, at Pepperdine University.

Maria Casale — Harp
Stephanie Yoon — Flute
Rachel Rome — Viola
Jared Chumsae — French Horn
Matthew Aune — Piano

© 2014 Thomas Yee (ASCAP)