Pegasus

For Orchestra

Overview

Two versions of Pegasus exist – this piece was originally written for small orchestra (commissioned by the Bay of Plenty Symphonia) and later expanded to include a larger percussion section for Full Symphony Orchestra

Commissioner: Bay of Plenty Symphonia

Dedicated to: Luka Henderson, Ashton Henderson, & Daniel Henderson

Full Symphony Instrumentation: Orchestra | Piccolo, Flute (1, 2), Oboe (1, 2), Clarinet in Bb (1, 2), Bassoon (1, 2), Horn in F (1,2,3,4), Trumpet in Bb (1, 2), Trombone (1, 2), Tuba, Timpani, Bass drum, Suspended Cymbal, Tam tam, Tubular bells, Crotales, Xylophone, Violin (1, 2), Viola, Cello, Contrabass

Small Orchestra Instrumentation: Orchestra | Piccolo, Flute (1, 2), Oboe (1, 2), Clarinet in Bb (1, 2), Bassoon (1, 2), Horn in F (1,2), Trumpet in Bb (1, 2), Trombone, Tuba (opt.), Timpani, Violin (1, 2), Viola, Cello, Contrabass

Premiered: by the Bay of Plenty Symphonia with Euan Safey (cond) on 19 of November, 2023 at the Holy Trinity Church, Tauranga, New Zealand

Other Performances:

Recorded by the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra as part of the SOUNZ Composer Sessions in October 2024 at the Michael Fowler Center, Wellington, New Zealand

Difficulty: Advanced

Duration: 10:00

Hire: Materials for this work can be hired from the composer. For enquiries go to Music Hires

Programme Note

Greek mythology tells the story of Pegasus, a flying horse and noble companion of Zeus. Pegasus (2023) was initially inspired by reminiscences of Briar’s childhood in Tauranga, and the nostalgic memories of riding her horse down and up the forest gully.

As the horse galloped back up to the top, it felt as though she was flying. The spirit of the horse in the earthly sense is depicted in the playful and vigorous opening and closing sections of the piece, invoking a sense of movement, energy and galloping rhythm. The horse transforms into the ethereal spirit of Pegasus, felt in the
music by a contrast that occurs the moment the rhythm breaks free, taking flight into a lighter, more starry-like passage of music. In both worlds, the earthly horse and the ethereal horse are poetically intertwined.

Zeus appreciated Pegasus so much that he turned him into a constellation in the stars forever, which takes the meaning of Pegasus into an even deeper more cosmic dimension of love, pathos, and remembrance.

This piece is dedicated to our dear family members who now rest with Pegasus in the stars, Luka Henderson, Ashton Henderson, and Daniel Henderson.

For commission enquires contact Briar at briarprastiti@gmail.com

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