- Thea Musgrave
Niobe (1987)
- Novello & Co Ltd (World)
Commissioned by the Park Lane Group
Tape part available for hire
Programme Note
Niobe, written in July and November 1987, was commissioned by the Park Lane Group for Ian Hardwick. The Tape was made in the Chiens Interdits Studios in New York; recording engineer, Jonathan Mann.
In Greek mythology, Niobe was the daughter of Tantalus and wife of Amphion, King of Thebes. She unwisely boasted to Leto about her many sons and daughters. Leto, who only had two children, Apollo and Artemis, was angered.
As punishment Apollo slew all of Niobe’s sons and Artemis all her daughters.
Out of pity for Niobe’s inconsolable grief, the Gods changed her into a rock, in which form she continued to weep.
In this short work for solo oboe and Tape, the solo oboe takes the part of Niobe bitterly lamenting her murdered children. The tape with the distant high voices and the slow tolling bells, and later gong, is intended to provide an evocative and descriptive accompaniment.
In Greek mythology, Niobe was the daughter of Tantalus and wife of Amphion, King of Thebes. She unwisely boasted to Leto about her many sons and daughters. Leto, who only had two children, Apollo and Artemis, was angered.
As punishment Apollo slew all of Niobe’s sons and Artemis all her daughters.
Out of pity for Niobe’s inconsolable grief, the Gods changed her into a rock, in which form she continued to weep.
In this short work for solo oboe and Tape, the solo oboe takes the part of Niobe bitterly lamenting her murdered children. The tape with the distant high voices and the slow tolling bells, and later gong, is intended to provide an evocative and descriptive accompaniment.
Media
Niobe
Scores
Score sample
Discography
A Dramatic Journey
- LabelAlbany
- Catalogue NumberTROY1835
- SoloistRebecca Johnson (flute), Elizabeth Sullivan (oboe), Cara Chowning (piano), Jessica Lindsey (clarinet)
- Released15th September 2020
Chamber works for oboe
- LabelHarmonia Mundi
- Catalogue NumberHMU907568
- SoloistNicholas Daniel, The Chilingirian Quartet, Joy Farrall, Emer McDonough, James Turnbull, Huw Watkins
- Released1st February 2013
Insomniac
- LabelNNLrecords
- Catalogue NumberNNL1
- Ensemblenew noise
- Released2003
Sad Steps - Music of Tragedy and Grief
- LabelAlbany
- Catalogue NumberTROY 1557
- SoloistMark Hill, oboe; Katherine Murdock, viola; Audrey Andrist, piano; Xak Bjerken, piano