Daedalus' Labyrinth

From Wind Repertory Project
Sean O'Loughlin

Sean O'Loughlin


General Info

Year: 2014
Duration: c. 5:50
Difficulty: III 1/2 (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Carl Fischer
Cost: Score and Parts (print) - $90.00; (digital) - $90.00   |   Score Only (print) - $15.00


Instrumentation

Full Score
Flute I-II
Oboe
Bassoon
B-flat Soprano Clarinet I-II-III
B-flat Bass Clarinet
E-flat Alto Saxophone I-II
B-flat Tenor Saxophone
E-flat Baritone Saxophone
B-flat Trumpet I-II-III
Horn in F I-II
Trombone I-II
Euphonium
Tuba
Timpani
Percussion I-II-III, including:

  • Bass Drum
  • Chimes
  • China Cymbals
  • Claves
  • Crash Cymbals
  • Snare Drum
  • Suspended Cymbal
  • Tambourine
  • Tam-Tam
  • Tom-Toms, Low
  • Triangle
  • Vibraphone


Errata

None discovered thus far.


Program Notes

According to Greek mythology, Daedalus is mentioned by Homer as the creator of a wide dancing-ground for Ariadne. He also was the creator of the Labyrinth on Crete, in which the Minotaur was kept. In the story of the labyrinth the Hellenes told, the Athenian hero Theseus is challenged to kill the Minotaur, finding his way with the help of Ariadne’s thread.

This interesting composition is loosely based on that story, capturing through music the feeling and drama of navigating a labyrinth. The rhythmically intense opening section begins with a pulsing eighth-note pattern accompanied by syncopated punches. The intensity increases before suddenly moving to a soft section, initially featuring a cautious and somewhat quirky melody in the high woodwinds. Occasional dissonance becomes evident as other instruments are added, leading to a mysterious-sounding contrasting section intended to convey the confusion that one often experiences in a labyrinth. A variety of interesting melodic, rhythmic, and harmonic material is explored before revisiting the pulsing opening material. As this section develops, a brief statement from the mysterious section triumphantly appears signifying that the labyrinth has been conquered. An exciting Presto passage brings the work to a conclusion.

- Program Note from The Instrumentalist


Media


State Ratings

  • Alabama: Class B


Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project


Works for Winds by This Composer

Adaptable Music


All Wind Works


Resources

  • "New Music Reviews." The Instrumentalist 70.4 (2015): 44. Print