Two Orchestral Fragments in D minor and G minor, for The Creatures of Prometheus Biamonti 240 (1800)

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Piece Overview
Instrumentation Class: 2 - Miscellaneous Orchestral Works
Opus #: 043
Biamonti #: 240
Midi Author: Mark S. Zimmer
Running Time: 01:01

Detailed Information
Two Orchestral Fragments in D minor and G minor, for The Creatures of Prometheus Biamonti 240 (1800) These two fascinatingly tempestuous sketches, with rudimentary orchestration, appear to be part of the work on The Creatures of Prometheus, op. 43. At the head of the first fragment, Beethoven writes, "Prom. weint," or "Prometheus cries." The first of the two fragments is much briefer, but is quite fully written out, while the second is more of a continuity draft. Both are rich in detail and intriguing possibilities. Where did Beethoven intend this to be placed in the ballet? The heading certainly provides some clues. One possibility is in the first act of the ballet, when Prometheus is so dismayed by his creatures that he decides to destroy them. This might make it part of No. 2, or a possible number between Nos. 2 and 3. Another strong possibility is as part of No. 9, when Melpomene, the muse of tragedy, stabs Prometheus to demonstrate the concept of mortality to his creatures. The notation may be related to the statement "Promethe mort" at the end of this piece. Sketches for No. 9, as well as the "Promethe mort" phrase, appear on the same page of the Landsberg 7 sketchbook, page 111, as the last part of the second fragment. While judging the relationship of two pieces in Beethoven's sketchbook based on their relative locations is always dangerous, the combination of the heading and their close proximity would tilt the scales in favor of this sketch being intended as part of No. 9. We present here both the midi version and an mp3, the latter using samples from Garritan Personal Orchestra.

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