Composer

:

Granville Bantock

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Prelude

Compose Date

:

1936

Average_duration

:

9:41

Prometheus Unbound is a symphonic poem composed by Granville Bantock in 1918. It was premiered on October 10, 1918, at the Queen's Hall in London, conducted by the composer himself. The piece is inspired by the Greek myth of Prometheus, who stole fire from the gods and gave it to humanity, and was punished by Zeus for his defiance. The symphonic poem is divided into four movements, each representing a different aspect of the myth. The first movement, titled "Prometheus Bound," depicts the punishment of Prometheus, who is chained to a rock and tormented by an eagle. The music is dark and ominous, with dissonant chords and eerie melodies. The second movement, "Prometheus Unbound," represents the moment when Prometheus is freed from his chains by Hercules. The music is triumphant and uplifting, with soaring melodies and powerful brass fanfares. The third movement, "Prometheus and Asia," is a love duet between Prometheus and Asia, a character from another Greek myth. The music is tender and romantic, with lush harmonies and delicate orchestration. The final movement, "Demogorgon," represents the ultimate triumph of Prometheus over the gods. The music is grand and majestic, with sweeping melodies and thunderous percussion. Overall, Prometheus Unbound is a powerful and dramatic work, showcasing Bantock's skill as a composer and his deep understanding of Greek mythology. The piece is notable for its use of unconventional harmonies and orchestration, as well as its vivid depiction of the mythological characters and events.

More....