Shane Werts
Benjamin Britten - Six Metamorphoses After Ovid, VI. Arethusa
Shane Werts, Oboe
The inspiration for the final movement of Britten's piece for solo oboe is the Greek Mythological Sea Nymph, Arethusa. Arethusa was the daughter of the sea god, Nereus. After an encounter with the deceptive river god Alpheus, Arethusa hid and cried profusely out of fright. She eventually turned into a fresh water fountain.
This movement depicts the flow of water in a fountain, with descending musical motifs and liquid flurries of notes. The B section of the movement depicts the anxiety filled Arethusa hiding from Alpheus well. The movement ends with a triumphant realization that Arethusa will be safe in her form as a fountain.
Thanks for listening :)