Water Spirits Redux
Water Spirits Redux is a dramatic feature for 7 percussionists and electronic track that was inspired by the myth of Glaucus and Scylla in Ovid’s ‘Metamorphoses.’ In essence, the myth is a love triangle between Glaucus (a mer-man), Scylla (a nymph), and Circe (a witch). The piece follows the outline of the myth, which is filled with darkness, longing, love, denial, and betrayal.
Medium: Percussion Ensemble (7) + Track
Publisher: C. Alan Publications
Composed: 2019
Duration: 6:15
Difficulty: Medium
Commission: l’École Madeleine d’Houet (Cagary, AB, Canada)
Instrumentation
Percussion 1: Bells, Xylophone, Ocean Drum, Low Drum
Percussion 2: Vibraphone, Low Drum, Marimba [shared]
Percussion 3: 4.3-octave Marimba [shared], Chimes, Low Drum
Percussion 4: 4 Timpani, Suspended Cymbal
Percussion 5: Snare Drum, Bongos, Small Ribbon Crasher, Woodblock, Suspended Cymbal
Percussion 6: 4 Concert Toms, Large Ribbon Crasher, Hi-Hat, China Cymbal
Percussion 7: Concert Bass Drum, Tam-Tam, Wind Chimes, Optional Multi-Bass Drum (or Kick Bass laid flat)
Program Notes
Originally a feature for 7 percussionists and band, Water Spirits Redux was inspired by the myth of Glaucus and Scylla in Ovid’s ‘Metamorphoses.’ The band accompaniment has been reimagined and re-composed with electronics. In essence, the myth of Glaucus and Scylla is a love triangle between Glaucus (a mer-man), Scylla (a nymph), and Circe (a witch). In short, Glaucus loves Scylla. Scylla does not love Glaucus, as she finds his half-fish form repulsive. Glaucus goes to Circe to ask her to cast a love spell on Scylla so that she will fall in love with him. Instead, Circe falls in love with Glaucus. When he does not return her affections, Circe takes it out on Scylla by poisoning the water in which she was bathing. This turns Scylla into a hideous sea monster with the head of six serpents and a waist of six vicious dogs. The piece follows the outline of the myth, which is filled with darkness, longing, love, denial, and betrayal.
