Robert Saxton: Scenes from The Epic of Gilgamesh & The Resurrection of the Soldiers

Featuring

Kenneth Woods
English Symphony Orchestra
English String Orchestra
Robert Saxton

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Composer's Artistic Vision

The conductor Kenneth Woods believes "Scenes from the Epic of Gilgamesh" embodies the essential qualities of Robert Saxton's musical universe: intensity, drama, virtuosity, and narrative clarity.

Composition History

Robert Saxton's "Scenes from the Epic of Gilgamesh" was inspired by a topic the composer had wanted to address in music for his entire creative life.

Performer Biography

Kenneth Woods, the conductor, is the Artistic Director and Principal Conductor of the English Symphony Orchestra and also serves as Artistic Director for the Colorado MahlerFest and The Elgar Festival.

Historical Context

The Epic of Gilgamesh, which inspired Robert Saxton's work, is the oldest written literary text in Middle Eastern/Western cultural history, predating the Hebrew Bible.

Compositional Technique

In "Scenes from the Epic of Gilgamesh", the pitch centers of the first movement, "Prologue", spell out the musical letters of Gilgamesh, which also underlie the entire work.

Composer Biography

Robert Saxton, born in London in 1953, received guidance from Benjamin Britten and Elisabeth Lutyens early in his career.

Recording & Production

This album is part of the English Symphony Orchestra's 21st Century Symphony Project, an initiative to commission, premiere, and record nine new symphonies by leading composers.