Icarus was commissioned by the South Australian Public Primary Schools Festival of Music in 2013 for the song cycle ‘Flight’. The story of Icarus has intrigued and challenged us for centuries. The well-known Greek myth is a tragic example of hubris, or failed ambition, and has been examined and retold in art and literature across the world. There are many layers to this compelling story and Paul wanted to understand how it has been interpreted throughout time.
Paul studied James Joyce’s semi-autobiographical novel ‘Portrait if the Artist as a Young Man’, the famous poem of 1940 by W.H Auden ‘Musee des Beaux Arts’, the Brueghel painting ‘Landscape with the fall of Icarus’, and the Roman poet Ovid’s ‘Metamorphoses’ among others. Paul also studied observations on narcissism, liberty, bravery, innovation and risk. Icarus’s flight is important to all humankind and a terrific story for children of all ages.
We recommend performing the full song cycle. Other pieces are ‘Take to the Sky’, ‘Lady of the Sky’ and ‘Jetman’. All are available from this site in the SA section.
Audio Sample courtesy of the South Australian Primary Schools Festival of Music
Junior Gondwana performance of Icarus, conducted by Paul Jarman
