Beowulf: A Suite for Ancient Instruments
John Craton
About this work: Composed for the Lipscomb University Early Music Consort. Suite scored for ancient instruments. Each movement relates a major event in the life of the epic hero Beowulf.
Movements:
Præludium
“The Dedication of Heorot”
“Grendel’s Journey Across the Moor”
“Beowulf Sails to Heorot”
“Queen Wealhtheow”
“Beowulf Awaits Grendel”
“Beowulf Fights Grendel”
“The Nailing of Grendel’s Arm”
“More Horror at Heorot”
“Beowulf’s Descent”
“Celebration at Heorot”
“Time Passes”
“The Slaying of the Dragon”
“At Beowulf’s Barrow”
Eight excerpts are presented below. MIDI’s of the entire suite may be heard by clicking here. Full review score is available on request. Contact composer for more information.
Version: Early music ensemble
Year composed: 2002
Duration: 00:50:00
Ensemble type: Unspecified Instrument(s):Ensemble
Instrumentation:
Instrumentation notes: Instrumentation: SATB recorders (incl. sub-bass recorder), garklein, shawm, 2 krumhorns, transverse flute, horn, sackbut (TB), 2 racketts, bagpipes, harp, lute, regal, psaltery, viols (2 treble), fiddle, rebec, viola da gamba, drums, tabors, bodhran, tambourine, gong, bells, woodblock. (NOTE: If listening to the Scorch file through the computer, it may be necessary to adjust the tempo bar as Scorch sometimes does not read metronome markings. Occasionally percussion instruments are rendered incorrectly by Scorch files.)