The Abduction of Persephone (for String Orchestra)
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SKU: A0.998356
Composed by Aaron Fonzi. Children,Contemporary,Rock,Standards. Score and parts. 27 pages. Aaron Fonzi #3367893. Published by Aaron Fonzi (A0.998356).This piece tells the epic story of Hades' abduction of his niece, Persephone. According to the legend, Hades came up through a crack in the ground and snatched the girl while she was playing. In the Underworld, he tried to seduce her in a variety of ways, but to no avail. Finally, Hades is said to have tricked her into staying by offering her a tempting pomegranate. As Persephone ate 6 seeds, she was to stay in the Underworld for six months each year. It is said that while Persphone is in the Underworld, the plants wither and die, and when she comes back to the surface she brings rebirth to growing things.
This piece begins with playful pizzicato lines that build upon each other. These represent Persphone at play, but forebodes the dark forces that are encircling her. When the orchestra goes to arco, Persphone is being dragged into the Underworld. A mournful violin solo signifies her arrival, but this mournful theme is quickly replace by the devious seductions of Hades in the form of a humorous waltz. Finally, Hades offers the pomegranate to Persephone and she eats 6 seeds (represented by the six beats of the B major chord in measures 76 and 77). The main theme then takes over once again, modulating to F# minor to represent Hades' victory.
With relentless energy, catchy ostinati and opportunities to work on shifting, pizzicato and arco throughout, this piece will not dissapoint for audiences and students alike.
A FEW NOTES:
1. I'd recommend rehearsing the rhythms of recurring ostinati together- first pizzicato then arco. You may get creative and incorporate scales with these rhythms. However you do it, it'll be important that each ostinato is played with precision and confidence.
2. Have fun with the waltz section! It's meant to portray the strange, whimsical nature of Hades' attempts to woo Persephone, so the awkwardness in delivery is encouraged!
3. All ritardandos should be exaggerated for the sake of drama.
4. Encourage your drumset player to explore different ways of accompanying the orchestra- the drumset part is a blueprint, not definitive instructions.
5. Be sure to practice shifting into 2nd position for the modulation.
I hope you and your students have a great time putting this epic piece together! I had a ton of fun writing it!
~Aaron Fonzi
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