TROYJAM

Ann Carson (E)

TROYJAM (2008) for Narrator and Orchestra was commissioned by the National Symphony Orchestra of Washington, D.C., the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts Leonard Slatkin, Music Director. The first performance was given by the National Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Leonard Slatkin, on May 18, 2008 at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C.

The story of the Trojan War is told in Homer’s epic poem, The Iliad. Homer tells how the ancient Greeks sailed to the city of Troy and fought many battles against the Trojans for ten years on the beach in front of their city. The chief heroes of these battles were swiftfooted Achilles (for the Greeks) and greathearted Hektor (for the Trojans).

In her poem, TROYJAM, Anne Carson retells Homer's story with a twist. Her narrative begins: "When the Greeks came to Troy they brought their whole orchestra with them, the Panhellenic Symphony Orchestra of Ancient Greece, Homer conducting." Instead of fighting each other, the Greeks and the Trojans decide to "end this stupid war" by playing the instruments of the orchestra in a wild "jam" session. The message of TROYJAM is more than relevant in today's world: let's make music not war.

In my composition, I use the instruments of the orchestra to create a musical setting for Anne Carson's text. I have composed two distinctive themes to represent Achilles and Hektor: the musical theme of Achilles (first played by violins and eventually all the strings) is swift and agile, while the musical theme of Hektor (first played by trumpets and eventually all the brass) is noble and dark.

TROYJAM is composed in two parts, performed without break. Part I features the narrator, reciting Anne Carson's text with musical commentary. We hear trilling strings and quivering woodwinds playing rapid scales and stirring melodies; we hear the timpani and bass drum play thundering rhythms; we hear the brass section playing majestic fanfares, and we hear the double basses booming like the gods. Part II features the whole orchestra playing together, creating a musical fantasy on the Achilles and Hektor themes. My composition ends peacefully with the harp, reminding us of the great Achilles playing his lyre.

— Michael Daugherty