Penelope Waits

Description

Flute 1, Flute 2, Flute 3, Flute 4, Oboe 1, Oboe 2, English Horn, Bassoon 1, Bassoon 2, Contrabassoon, Clarinet in Bb 1, Clarinet in Bb 2, Clarinet in Bb 3, Clarinet in Bb 4, Clarinet in Bb 5, Clarinet in Bb 6, Bass Clarinet, Soprano Saxophone, Alto Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, Horn in F 1, Horn in F 2, Trumpet in Bb, Trombone 1, Trombone 2, Bass Trombone, Euphonium, Tuba, Timpani, Percussion 1, Bass Drum, Wood Block, Splash Cymbal, Crotales, Percussion 2, Tom-tom, Suspended Cymbal, Percussion 3, Marimba, Harp — This quiet piece represents Queen Penelope, the faithful wife of Odysseus, as she patiently waits twenty years for her husband's return from fighting the Trojan Wars. Penelope herself is represented as an oboe. She is accompanied by the ensemble as she keeps at bay the suitors who wish to marry her and inherit her riches.