Product Description
Programme Notes
Boudicca became the Queen of the Iceni upon
the death of her husband, Prasutagus. The Iceni had lived in relative peace
with the Romans, with Prasutagus living as a client king, paying tribute to
Rome. The Romans refused to accept a woman as the ruler, and sought to assume
total control. To demonstrate its superiority, a Roman Legion attacked the
Iceni, captured Boudicca and made her watch as her daughters were raped. She
sought revenge, allying the Iceni with the Trinovantes under her command, and wreaked
havoc, destroying many Roman settlements. Boudicca was only stopped when Rome
sent one of the best generals of the time, Seutonius Paulinus. Seutonius has
been depicted offering Boudicca surrender with honour and her life, but when
she rejected this, his tactical acumen proved superior, and all the Iceni and
Trinovantes were wiped out.
1
Boudicca Unites the Tribes
The piece opens with the initial statement
of Boudiccas theme. Figure 3 depicts Boudiccas reign as the leader of the
Iceni, interspersed with a sadder theme depicting her lonely widowhood. Figure
4 sees the tribes called together with a drinking song and Figure 5 is the war
cry, as Boudicca gives a rousing speech, first to her own warriors then to the
Trinovantes. The second time bar before Figure 7 sees the tribes fall into a
restless sleep. Amid early morning mists, Figure 7 sees restless horses, with
distant fanfares heard, signalling the coming of the Romans. The Romans main
theme is at Figure 8, with a constant fanfare over the top, signalling the
confidence of the leaders. Figure 10 sees the Iceni and Trinovantes coming
slowly out of hiding, and Boudiccas theme growing in volume until the death
chords signify the tribes have prevailed.
2.
The Bards Sing
The tribes sing a hymn to an unnamed Pagan
God. At Figure 13, the Euphonium develops Boudiccas theme depicting Taranis,
the Bard of the Iceni, singing wistfully of happier times. He then makes an
impassioned speech for peace, before cutting off in mid sentence. He then sits
quietly (Figure 16) fearing the future. Figure 17 gives a euphoric and hopeful rendition
of the hymn, as if Taranis has not been heard.
3
Epping
NB: It is my piece, and I
say Epping is as credible as anywhere as the site of the final battle, and will
not enter into any correspondence on the matter!
A fanfare awakens the two tribes. Figure
18 sees the tribes prepare for a final battle, and the repeated section depicts
two victories at Verulanium (St Albans) and Londinium (London then a small
barracks). At Figure 20 Taranis has a vision, and tries to change Boudiccas
mind about another attack. Boudicca listens to him, but tells him the die is
cast, and there is no going back. Death or Glory The war cry ensues at Figure
21, but at Figure 22 it is the Romans theme heard, and the death chords
(Figure 24) signify that it is the two tribes that are being slaughtered this
time. Brave souls (Repiano and Flugel at 24) fight on in vain to allow Boudicca
to escape. At Figure 25 Boudicca prays, but realising all is lost, at Figure 26
drinks poison. As she dies, the last thing this brave British heroine hears is
the sound of the Romans theme, signifying Seutonius total victory.
William Elsom, December 2004
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