The Labyrinth of the Minotaur by Isaac Tayrien

ETHOS NEW MUSIC SOCIETY

Fall Student Composers Concert 2009

PROGRAM NOTES:
The Labyrinth of the Minotaur is loosely inspired by the Greek Myth of Theseus and his adventure into
the depths of the Labyrinth wherein lie the Minotaur. The Minotaur was a vile monster of legend with
the body of a man and the head of a bull that required human sacrifice every seven years. When the
time came for a third sacrifice, Theseus bravely volunteered to go slay the beast. However, he could not
have done so without the help of the beautiful Ariadne, who gave him a ball of thread to unravel as he
made his descent deeper and deeper. She also gave him this advice: Go forwards, always down and
never left or right.
Theseus was ultimately successful in confronting and slaying the Minotaur, but with his victory came a
price. On his journey home, in the midst of his revelry he forgot to switch the black sails for the white
ones to let his father know that he had been victorious and was returning home safely. Seeing the black
sails, his father was overcome with sorrow and killed himself-at the apparent loss of his son.
This piece is envisioned as the second in a series of short pieces for four cellos. Each utilizes varying
compositional techniques, as well as a wide array of performance techniques for the cello in order to
depict a myth or legend of old. The Labyrinth of the Minotaur is preceded by George and the Dragon,
a piece which explores archaic church modes and uses only the twelve white keys of the piano. This
piece contrastingly begins in a haze of tonalities and modulates frequently to black keys via the use of




chromaticism.

Category:

Music

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