Brian Ferneyhough - Cassandra's Dream Song (1970) (with score)

Cassandra's Dream Song is famous among flautists all over the world for its combination of painstaking detail, carefree gestures, amazing virtuosity, and a narrative of betrayal and mistrust that pushes the musician to the emotional and physical brink during each performance....
Cassandra’s Dream Song conjures up old Greek tales of Cassandra and Apollo whose love was rattled with jealousy, dishonesty, and treason.5 Apollo, who was in love with Cassandra from afar, promised her the power of prophecy in exchange for carnal indulgences. After making the promise and receiving the gift Cassandra turned her back on Apollo. In his rage, Apollo avenged himself by ordaining that Cassandra’s prophecies never be believed. Even though she correctly prophesied the fall of Troy and the murder of Agamemnon her admonitions were disregarded as noise. During the attack and devastation of Troy Cassandra was dragged from her alter and raped by Ajax. She was later gifted to Agamemnon and there would die with him.6 All of these circumstances and consequences are wrapped into the narrative of Ferneyhough’s masterpiece. (Benjamin Sledge)