Colossus
Kenley Kristofferson
Ensemble: Concert Band
Grade: 5
Duration: 07:45
Year of Composition: 2018
Publisher: self-published
Available: Yes
How to Acquire: Composer
Links:
Program Notes:
Giants are in folklore and media from across the world, though I’ve long been fascinated with the creatures who protect (rather than attack) humankind; the gryphon is one such creature, but what if it were a giant? Something like humans, but bigger? My first thought is that humanity would rather protect itself and that there would be great honour to whomever slayed the giant (because we are arrogant and often don’t trust what is there to protect us, right?). However, even more provocative questions are “who will protect you when the giant is gone? And what were they protecting you from that you never even saw? And was removing your guardian even a good idea?” And my favourite one: “What happens now?”
You might also be thinking that this sounds a whole lot like the plot to Team Ico’s 2005 release Shadow of the Colossus for PlayStation 2 and you’d be right. In fact, there’s a great big quote for you about two-thirds of the way in. I drew a lot of inspiration from the game’s narrative (including the piece’s title), but especially from the music. I studied Gus Tredwell’s piano transcriptions and looked at how all of that music was put together. The title Colossus implies a Greek sensibility, as opposed to “giant” or “jotun” or something, so all of that is in there.
(Kenley Kristofferson)
