Ophiuchus The zodiac consists of the twelve constellations through which the sun passes. When the zodiac was first invented the sun did not pass through the constellation Ophiuchus, however, because of the precession of the earth, the eclipti now passes through the southern regions of the constellation in the first half of December. Ophiuchus is in four parts. Largo Ophiuchus was identified by the Greeks as Asclepius, who was the son of Apollo and Coronis. Apollo took his child to Chiron, the wise centaur, who taught him the art of healing. Asclepius found that his healing herbs could raise the dead. Adagio While most might think the ability to be a great thing, this was not the case with Hades, who feared the flow of dead souls into his domain would cease, so he complained to his brother Zeus, who killed Asclepius. Largo Asclepius lies dead and is mourned by Apollo. Adagio To mollify Apollo, Zeus cannot bring Asclepius back to life, but he makes him immortal by setting him among the stars as the constellation Ophiuchus. The piece was written for Clarinet, Flute, Piano and String Orchestra. -------------------------------------------------------------------- Chiron In Greek mythology, Chiron was held to be the superlative centaur amongst his brethren, as he was called the "wisest and justest of all the centaurs". Chiron was pierced with an arrow belonging to Heracles that had been treated with the blood of the Hydra. Despite being a master of the healing arts, he was unable to heal himself and lived with incredible pain. Prometheus had given fire to mortals, to the great displeasure of Zeus, and as punishment was bound to a rock, where an eagle would feed on his liver. As he was immortal, the liver would grow back, only to be eaten by the eagle the next day. Heracles arranged a bargain with Zeus to exchange Chiron's immortality for the life of Prometheus. Chiron died after his liver was eaten, but was given a place in the stars. This piece depicts that exchange. Largo Chiron travels to Tartarus, where Prometheus is chained. Adagio Prometheus sees the approach of Chiron and realizes that he is to be set free. Andante - Largo The death and transfiguration of Chiron
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