Byzantium
by nicole chamberlain
Grade 3.5 | 3:40 | © 2013
Ancient Greek mythology attributes the founding of the ancient city of Byzantium to Byzas. Byzas was son of Poseidon and his mother, Keroessa, was the daughter of Io and Zeus. The oracle of Apollo at Delphi instructed Byzas to settle opposite the "Land of the Blind". This area of the Golden Horn was positioned on prime real estate where the city could regulate the only entrance of the Black Sea. Since the founding, the city has changed its name from Constantinople to today's Istanbul.
During her youth, the composer was able to visit the Batumi and Tbilisi of the Republic of Georgia and then Istanbul, Turkey for a summer music student exchange. The trip made a lasting impression musically and personally. She was exposed to music outside the western tradition as well as Byzantine art. It is a trip she reflects on often, and certainly one that influenced the development of this piece, Byzantium.
Recorded on October 30th, 2019 by the Ashland High School Wind Ensemble and Travis Moddison.
““I wanted to say that my favorite song in your recent program was Byzantium by Nicole Chamberlain. Pleased that you found such a talented composer and inspired that it is a female composer. As an art teacher it made me think of beautiful images of tesserae exploding in religious strife and conflict. Very passionate and powerful. Movie theme sounding music.””