Phaethon for Solo Viola and Piano Piano - Digital Sheet Music

SKU: A0.771526

PHAETHON was a youthful son of Helios who begged his father let him drive the chariot of the sun. The god reluctantly conceded to the boy's wishes and handed him the reigns. But his inexperience proved fatal, for Phaethon quickly lost control of the immortal steeds and the sun-chariot veered out of control setting the earth ablaze.  Zeus, appalled by the destruction, smote the boy with a thunderbolt, hurling his flaming body into the waters of the River Eridanos. Phaethon's sisters, the Heliades, gathered on the banks and in their mourning were transformed into amber-teared poplar trees. This piece, written for my daughter, Penny, for her 2nd year recital at university, depicts the story of Phaethon, through to his destruction. The second piece, Tears of the Heliad,  written for her degree recital and also published on SMP, finishes the story with the lamenting of the Heliades and their tears eventually turning to drops of golden amber