Composer

:

R. Murray Schafer

Genre

:

Chamber

Style

:

Electronic Music

Compose Date

:

1986

Average_duration

:

20:47

The Crown of Ariadne is a contemporary chamber music composition by Canadian composer R. Murray Schafer. It was composed in 1979 and premiered on October 25, 1980, in Toronto, Canada. The piece is written for harp and six percussionists and is divided into six movements. The first movement, titled "Ariadne's Lament," is a slow and mournful piece that sets the tone for the rest of the composition. The harp plays a simple melody while the percussionists create a haunting atmosphere with various instruments such as gongs, cymbals, and tam-tams. The second movement, "The Minotaur," is a fast and frenzied piece that represents the mythical creature that Ariadne helped Theseus defeat. The percussionists use a variety of instruments to create a chaotic and disorienting sound while the harp plays a repetitive and driving rhythm. The third movement, "Ariadne's Dance," is a lively and playful piece that represents Ariadne's joy after Theseus defeats the Minotaur. The harp plays a cheerful melody while the percussionists use instruments such as maracas, tambourines, and woodblocks to create a festive atmosphere. The fourth movement, "The Labyrinth," is a slow and mysterious piece that represents the maze that Theseus had to navigate to defeat the Minotaur. The harp plays a simple and repetitive melody while the percussionists use instruments such as chimes, bells, and vibraphones to create an eerie and unsettling sound. The fifth movement, "The Thread," is a delicate and intricate piece that represents the thread that Ariadne gave to Theseus to help him navigate the labyrinth. The harp plays a gentle and flowing melody while the percussionists use instruments such as triangles, finger cymbals, and wind chimes to create a delicate and shimmering sound. The final movement, "Ariadne's Crown," is a triumphant and majestic piece that represents Ariadne's reward for helping Theseus defeat the Minotaur. The harp plays a grand and regal melody while the percussionists use instruments such as timpani, bass drums, and gongs to create a powerful and celebratory sound. Overall, The Crown of Ariadne is a complex and evocative composition that showcases Schafer's skill as a composer. The use of harp and percussion creates a unique and dynamic sound that captures the mythological themes of the piece.

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