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El Olimpo de los Dioses

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Oscar Navarro

Oscar Navarro (trans. Andrés Álvarez and Oscar Navarro)


This work may also appear under its title in English, The Gods of Olympus.


General Info

Year: 2014 / 2015
Duration: c. 42:00
Difficulty: VI (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Oscar Navarro
Cost: Score and Parts (print) - €295.00


Movements

1. Hermes – 4:40
2. Artemis – 4:00
3. Hades – 5:05
4. Poseidon – 6:40
5. Demeter – 1:45
6. Hephaestus – 2:45
7. Apollo – 1:50
8. Aphrodite – 5:30
9. Ares & Athena – 4:10
10. Zeus y Hera – 5:10


Instrumentation

Full Score
C Piccolo
Flute I-II
Oboe I-II
Bassoon I-II
Contrabassoon
E-flat Soprano Clarinet
B-flat Soprano Clarinet I-II-III
B-flat Bass Clarinet
E-flat Alto Saxophone I-II
B-flat Tenor Saxophone I-II
E-flat Baritone Saxophone
F Horn I-II-III-IV
B-flat Trumpet I-II-III (I doubling B-flat Piccolo Trumpet)
Trombone I-II-III
Bass Trombone
Euphonium I-II
Tuba I-II
Cello
Contrabass
Harp
Celesta (optional)
Timpani (extended low range required (low C2))
Percussion I-II-III-IV, including

  • Bass Drums (2)
  • Bird Instruments (4)
  • Crash Cymbals
  • Glockenspiel (extended high range required (high D-flat6))
  • Metal (3 pieces: high, medium and low)
  • Ocean Drums (2)
  • Snare Drum
  • Suspended Cymbals (2)
  • Tam-tam
  • Tambourine
  • Tom-toms (4: 2 medium and 2 low)
  • Triangle
  • Tubular Bells
  • Waterphone
  • Wind Machine
  • Xylophone

Electronic thunder effects
Ram's horn


Errata

None discovered thus far.


Program Notes

The Gods of Olympus is a symphonic suite divided in ten movements, each one of them representing one of the twelve deities in Olympus.

The suite begins with a strong "thunder" sound, which represents the power and strength of the great God Zeus, Father of Gods. This "thunder" sound will be the connecting thread between movements, and it will be heard each time that Zeus introduces a different god in Olympus.

I. "Hermes" - The messenger of the gods across all frontiers A very lively and fast music represents an agile and energetic god, very cunning. He is capable to travel around Earth from place to place without any trouble, disguising himself amongst other travelers, shepherds, traders, burglars and other mortals without raising any suspicion.

II. "Artemis" - The goddess of nature and wild animals This movement, composed as a dance form, describes the Goddess Artemis surrounded by live nature, birds and vegetation covering the surface of Earth beyond where the eye reaches. The animals pasture and run around freely amidst a clear and bright sky. Artemis dances and runs in this beautiful depicted scenery, carrying her bow and arrows and hunting down the wild animals.

III. "Hades" - God of the death A trip to the underworld can be very lonely and dark. A cold and deserted path will guide us to meet Hades, who is depicted in the music by a demonic ostinato, which will drive our ear crazy until it rips our soul apart.

IV. "Poseidon" - God of the sea and the earthquakes We find ourselves in a peaceful and quiet sea where a soft breeze carries us, little by little, deeper into the ocean. There, a hunting horn is used to call Poseidon to reveal himself. The sea will become more and more unstable and rocky, and the waves will crush against the cliffs with more and more power, causing many rocks to fall into the water. Another hunting call will bring Poseidon from the deep ocean and into the surface, extremely infuriated. After showing himself fully, he will return into the deepest of the ocean, creating a magnificent wave that will slowly dissipate. In the end, the ocean recovers its normal peaceful state.

V. "Demeter" - Goddess of agriculture This movement reproduces the "chant of the mowers", often related to the world of agriculture. It uses a simple melody created exclusively for Demeter, who takes care of the farmers and the fertile land. The movement of the butterflies wings and the dialogue between the wind and the farmers will be a predominant feature of this movement. In essence, it is a movement on invocation to the goddess of agriculture and carrier of the seasons.

VI. "Hephaestus" - God of fire and forging This movement can be coined as "the smith's hymn". Hephaestus is venerated by all the smiths and craftsmen, who chant melodies to the beat of the anvils. Little by little, other sculptors and craftsmen will join in with their voices. At the very end, a big explosion of fire and ecstasy will carry the listener to the end of the movement.

VII. "Apollo" - God of beauty, music and perfection Apollo, who is in charge of playing music at Olympus, will present us with a simple theme, first played with the horn and later by a small group of players from each one of the orchestra's sections. This theme will be used as a welcome-back tune for all of the gods. It is very triumphant and solemn chamber music.

VIII. "Aphrodite" - Goddess of sexuality, lust and desire Aphrodite, portrayed by the harp, is shown as a very appealing and sensual goddess. She will hypnotize us little by little, using very colorful and enchanting melodies. We will fall under her arms, and with another theme in a waltz form, she will make our mind wonder into infinity.

IX. "Ares and Athena" - Gods of war Ares and Athena travel together riding on their chariot pushed by four immortal bulls with golden flanges and breathing fire. They are equipped with helmets, shields and spears. These gods are coming from afar, marching towards war and destruction, a ferocious massacre of blood and fire.

X. "Zeus and Hera" - God and goddess of gods At the end of this suite Zeus and Hera will appear to the beat of the great "Zeus and Hera's March". They both parade together in their throne, transported by heavy wheels of stone. Acclaimed by all of the other gods, they enter in Olympus, welcomed by fanfares of timpani and trumpets. They are Olympus kings!

- Program Note by composer


Commercial Discography

None discovered thus far.


Media Links


State Ratings

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Performances

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Works for Winds by This Composer


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