TWO HUNDRED B.C.
The melodic material used in 200 B.C. is from a two thousand year old Greek hymn to Apollo. The legendary adventures of Odysseus as described by Homer in the Odyssey (ca. 700 B.C.) provide the programmatic material.
The music is freely based upon the First Delphic Hymn (or Paen to Apollo), composed ca. 200 B.C. The source is a transcription appearing on pages 363 - 367 of Ancient and Oriental Music, Edited by Egon Wellesz (Oxford University Press: London, 1957).
Each movement of the work depicts a key event in the epic Homeric poem, as described below.
Movement I: Intrada
The first four notes of this movement, C - Bb - G - Bb, are the melodic and harmonic foundation for the entire work. These pitches, introduced in a simple and direct manner, are subsequently developed in more complex fashions throughout the suite.
Following this stately introduction is a militaristic fanfare that introduces the dotted-eighth and sixteenth-note figure later reprised in the second and fourth movements. Indeed, all the musical ideas which will be central to the remaining movements first appear in the Intrada.
This movement depicts the grandeur of Odysseus and his kingdom in Ithaca, and establishes the heroic mood of the entire work.
Movement II: Ballad
After a brief restatement of the opening dotted-eighth-and-sixteenth fanfare, the second movement extracts the falling third (Bb to G) from the C - Bb - G - Bb motif and extends it and expands it into a haunting solo for alto saxophone. The C - Bb - G - Bb motif appears again (see measures 23 - 33 in trumpets) as counterpoint to this melody, now pulsing through the thick texture of the band. Many performers have come to view the Ballad as the emotional epicenter of the entire suite; my conception of the Ballad is to achieve a union of pathos and strength. Programmatically, this movement depicts Odysseus's son, Telemachos, as he both longs for Odysseus's return and stoically defends his father's kingdom.
Movement III: Dance
It will take Odysseus twenty years to return to Ithaca. During his absence, noblemen besiege his palace, violating the sanctity of the household and seeking the hand of his wife, Penelope. This movement depicts the wanton revelries that result. The original four-note motif is chromatically altered and the meter is made irregular. The rapid tempo, driving percussion, and angular meter and melodies combine in an explosion of reckless abandon.
Movement IV: March
Building from a delicate woodwind ensemble accompanied by finger cymbals to a fully orchestrated statement replete with thundering percussion, this is a resounding march of victory. Odysseus has returned in triumph to restore dignity to his household and to reclaim the throne of the Kingdom of Ithaca.
NOTES TO THE CONDUCTOR
Mvt. I: Care should be taken to see that each of the melodic motifs are heard clearly and distinctly as they are presented. A bold, powerful, and detached style is necessary in the opening statements, with a lyrical, powerful, and sonorous melody in the horns and alto saxophone (from measure 20 on) essential. The final cymbal crash must be especially prominent, and should be allowed to vibrate for some time.
Mvt. II: Be careful not to let this movement become too slow, or too tragic. Marked andante sostenuto, there may be a temptation to stress the sostenuto at the expense of the andante. While rubato and espressive playing are certainly called for and appropriate, a true andante (walking tempo) will retain the lyric aspects of this movement.
Mvt. III: Percussion needs to be very crisp and clean. A detached marcato is essential from all voices. The performance must be both rhythmically precise and disciplined and wildly propulsive and energetic.
Mvt. IV: A disciplined and dignified tempo and sense of pulse is essential. Balance between the two parallel melodic lines (at measure 31 and beyond) is important, as there is a tendency for the lower line to be somewhat overshadowed. A significant, intense ritardando molto (starting at measure 53) is essential to realizing the work's dramatic dignity.
Gregory B. Rudgers
