Mythical Creatures is a suite for brass band written by Magnus Brandseth for the Krohnengen Brass Band and their Siddis Brass 2023 performance. The suite consists of musical portraits of mythical creatures that have captured our imagination and curiosity for centuries. The four movements each depicts a mythical character, with distinct musical motifs. At the same time, the entire work is musically interwoven, and the observant listener will recognize recurring phrases and tonalities throughout the suite.
The Sea Ghost and the Sirens – Voices from the Abyss
The third movement depicts a meeting between the terrifying sea ghost “Draugen” and the alluring Sirens.
The movement is characterized by haunting melodies and evocative harmonies picturing voices that echo from the dark abyss of the sea. “Draugen”, is a legendary creature from Norse folklore that is said to haunt the coast of Norway .
The creature is depicted as a fearsome ghostly figure, emerging from the sea with a body cloaked in seaweed, flowing locks of hair, and rattling anchor chains trailing in its wake. Sirens are mythical beings known from Greek mythology, often depicted as enchanting female figures with beautiful voices. According to legend, the Sirens lured sailors with their songs, leading them to shipwreck on rocky shores. By chance, Draugen meets a group of Sirens deep in the ocean abyss after their separate unsuccessful attempts to sink ships sailing in the area. In the absence of any sailors to devour, Draugen invites the sirens to a little dance on the nearby shipwreck instead. The music vividly captures this unusual encounter, and keen listeners may hear the rattling sounds of the anchor chains hampering the rhythm of Draugen’s dance.
