Alqualondë

About

The title ‘Alqualondë’ comes from The Silmarillion by J.R.R. Tolkien, whose myriad of fantasy writings are a constant inspiration in my work. Alqualondë or ‘The Kin-slaying’ depicts the battle of Swan Haven, where the first great tragedy of the Elves took place, as they slew their own brothers in a vicious and sinful battle. The opening and closing sections of the work depict this terrible battle, while the more lamentful middle section portrays the pantheon of gods who are forbidden to intervene in the conflict, and forced to watch the terrible battled unfold below them. Flurries of solos in the brass and winds overlap in the middle section, representing the laments of the gods, and as their grief gives way to anger, the rage battle ensues. The fervent crash of war drums from the timpani and bass drum and the metallic clangour and skeletal-like clashes from the xylophone and cymbals in the percussion throughout the final section depict the brutality of the conflict as the battle comes to a harrowing close.