Athena Triumphant
The commissioners have exclusive commercial recording rights until 8/30/24.
VIDEO
Performers:
Geoffrey Deibel, soprano saxophone
Jeffrey Loeffert, alto saxophone
Jonathan Nichol, tenor saxophone
Taimur Sullivan, baritone saxophone
Great Plains Saxophone Workshop
YEAR COMPOSED
2012 string quartet (original version)
2022 saxophone quartet edition
COMMISSIONER
Michele and Rafiq Mohammadi commissioned the original string quartet for their daughter, Rabia.
The saxophone quartet edition was commissioned by Quartet Vela.
ORDERING SCORES
Theodore Presser Company
https://www.presser.com/114-42352-athena-triumphant.html
PROGRAM NOTES
In Greek mythology, Athena was the goddess of war, wisdom, justice, and the arts. She was born out of the head of her father, Zeus, wearing a helmet and carrying a shield. More interested in strategy than bloodshed, Athena led armies that only fought for just causes. In times of peace, Greek artisans prayed to her for guidance in their artistic endeavors. Athena Triumphant portrays Athena as she marches into battle and emerges victorious.
-S.G.
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HELIOS • 4’30” • 2 tpts/flugelhorns, hn, tbn, tba
PROGRAM NOTES
In Greek mythology, Helios was the god of the sun. His head wreathed in light, he daily drove a chariot drawn by four horses (in some tales, the horses are winged; in others, they are made of fire) across the sky. At the end of each day’s journey, he slept in a golden boat that carried him on the Okeanos River (a fresh water stream that encircled the flat earth) back to his rising place. The cyclic journey of Helios is depicted in this short work for brass quintet. The first half is fast-paced and very energetic, while the second half is slow and serene, representing day and night.
-S.G.