91Èȱ¬

With David Goode (organ) and the 91Èȱ¬ National Orchestra of Wales conducted by Thomas SøndergÃ¥rd.

‘This piece is inspired by ancient Greek myths about the god Pan, the god of Nature, of the wild, of shepherds and of rustic music,’ says composer B Tommy Andersson. ‘He is also known for his sexual powers and for playing the pan pipes. Pan is sometimes depicted as a rather small and not very attractive being, horned and goat-like. On the other hand, he could also be rendered as an imposing, beautiful and seductive man, albeit with some characteristic features such as horns and a tail. Regardless of his appearance, he is to be reckoned a powerful force of nature.

The word ‘panic’ (panikon) was used by the ancient Greeks to describe the feeling of fear that was incited in men and animals alike when they sensed that Pan was nearby. The organ is used as an element in the orchestration and it becomes a gigantic pan pipes, representing the god Pan. It makes itself heard from the very beginning of the piece in an extremely loud, dominant and menacing way, playing a four-note chord representing Pan (C–E–F sharp–B), which permeates the whole piece in various guises. The loud organ is a manifestation of the immense power that the god possesses.’