Water Spirits is a feature for 7 percussionists and band that was inspired by the myth of Glaucus and Scylla in Ovid’s ‘Metamorphoses.’ In essence, the myth is a love triangle between Glaucus (a mer-man), Scylla (a nymph), and Circe (a witch). In short, Glaucus loves Scylla. Scylla does not love Glaucus, as she finds his half-fish form repulsive. Glaucus goes to Circe to ask her to cast a love spell on Scylla so that she will fall in love with him. Instead, Circe falls in love with Glaucus. When he does not return her affections, Circe takes it out on Scylla by poisoning the water in which she was bathing. This turns Scylla into a hideous sea monster with the head of six serpents and a waist of six vicious dogs. The piece follows the outline of the myth, which is filled with darkness, longing, love, denial, and betrayal.
Program Notes
Water Spirits was initially inspired by tales of a mer-man sighting in Lake Minnewanka, which is located in the eastern area of Banff National Park in Calgary, Alberta (near the school that commissioned the piece). Minnewanka translates to “Water of the Spirits” in Nakoda. This inspiration lead me down the mer-man research rabbit hole and landed on the myth of Glaucus and Scylla in Ovid’s ‘Metamorphoses.’ In essence, the myth is a love triangle between Glaucus (a mer-man), Scylla (a nymph), and Circe (a witch). In short, Glaucus loves Scylla. Scylla does not love Glaucus, as she finds his half-fish form repulsive. Glaucus goes to Circe to ask her to cast a love spell on Scylla so that she will fall in love with him. Instead, Circe falls in love with Glaucus. When he does not return her affections, Circe takes it out on Scylla by poisoning the water in which she was bathing. This turns Scylla into a hideous sea monster with the head of six serpents and a waist of six vicious dogs. The piece follows the outline of the myth, which is filled with darkness, longing, love, denial, and betrayal.
"Water Spirits" was commissioned by l'École Madeleine d'Houet, Sean Craig, director, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. It received its world premiere performance on June 12, 2019 with the composer in attendance.
