Pandora
Format
Composer's Club Concerts
Faculty Mentor Name
Francois Rose
Faculty Mentor Department
Music Composition
Abstract/Artist Statement
Written for Saxophone quartet, this piece is about the Greek myth of Pandora’s Box. In this myth Pandora is sent by Zeus to live with the mortals. The test is to see if mortals can bear not opening the box that is being sent with Pandora. It contains Deceit, Jealousy, Hate, War, and Despair. The only thing left in the box when Pandora closes it is hope. Eventually Pandora reopens the box and gives hope to the world.
Pandora’s first section features the soprano saxophone opening with Pandora’s theme. The first section of this piece is about Zeus creating Pandora. Their conversation about Pandora’s orders is illustrated in this section as the melody moves among the various members of the quartet. The second section is about her journey to see her to-be husband Epimetheus. Prior to the third section you can hear the evils within the box trying to persuade Pandora into opening it. The final section is about what ensues after Pandora gives in to her curiosity and opens the box. Near the middle of the final section you can hear the famous Dies Irae melody and an inversion of it. This is hope and death battling for dominance once Pandora reopens the box. At the end neither one comes out on top as they learn to coexist just as we know it today.
Location
Faye Spanos Concert Hall
Start Date
3-5-2017 7:30 PM
End Date
3-5-2017 9:00 PM
Pandora
Faye Spanos Concert Hall
Written for Saxophone quartet, this piece is about the Greek myth of Pandora’s Box. In this myth Pandora is sent by Zeus to live with the mortals. The test is to see if mortals can bear not opening the box that is being sent with Pandora. It contains Deceit, Jealousy, Hate, War, and Despair. The only thing left in the box when Pandora closes it is hope. Eventually Pandora reopens the box and gives hope to the world.
Pandora’s first section features the soprano saxophone opening with Pandora’s theme. The first section of this piece is about Zeus creating Pandora. Their conversation about Pandora’s orders is illustrated in this section as the melody moves among the various members of the quartet. The second section is about her journey to see her to-be husband Epimetheus. Prior to the third section you can hear the evils within the box trying to persuade Pandora into opening it. The final section is about what ensues after Pandora gives in to her curiosity and opens the box. Near the middle of the final section you can hear the famous Dies Irae melody and an inversion of it. This is hope and death battling for dominance once Pandora reopens the box. At the end neither one comes out on top as they learn to coexist just as we know it today.