Sysyphus
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| "Sysyphus" | |
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| Song |
"Sysyphus" is an avant-garde, instrumental four part suite written and performed by rock band Pink Floyd's keyboardist Richard Wright.[1] The song is featured on his portion of the studio half of Ummagumma (and is the song that opens the studio album).[2]
Richard Wright's instrumental was named after a character in Greek mythology, usually spelled "Sisyphus".[3]
Greek references
Orthographic differences aside, the song is a musical interpretation of the Sisyphean challenge. Wright's portrayal of Sisyphus pushing the rock up a steep hill in Hades is evident in the slow, almost droning parts of the song.[4]
Music
Part one consists of an overture featuring timpani and Mellotron chords resembling an orchestra. This segues into a piano solo that dissolves into a raucous, dissonant performance as Sisyphus struggles up the hill. Part two features a piano having its strings plucked and strummed alongside percussion and tape effects of sped-up voices. Brief moments of musical calm appear in part three, as Sisyphus reaches the top of the hill; this section features a soft keyboard and organ piece with birds chirping. This lull is immediately followed by part four; a thunderous orchestral crescendo, representing the boulder falling back down the hillside. The theme of part one resurfaces as the end, indicating that Sisyphus is pushing the large rock up the hill once more.
On compact disc, part one was split into two halves, labeled "Part I" and "Part II". Consequently, the original part two became "Part III", while parts three and four became "Part IV".
Live
It was performed in concert just four times by Pink Floyd. The work is mentioned as being used to accompany Salomé's dance in the biography of Clive Barker.[5]
Personnel
- Richard Wright — Farfisa, Mellotron, piano, bass guitar, timpani, drums, percussion, sped-up vocals
References
- ^ Manning, Toby (2006). "The Albums". The Rough Guide to Pink Floyd (1st ed.). London: Rough Guides. p. 161. ISBN 1-84353-575-0.
{{cite book}}:|access-date=requires|url=(help) - ^ Strong, Martin C. (2004). The Great Rock Discography (7th ed.). Edinburgh: Canongate Books. p. 1177. ISBN 1-84195-551-5.
- ^ Mabbett, Andy (1995). The Complete Guide to the Music of Pink Floyd. London: Omnibus Press. p. 27. ISBN 0-7119-4301-X.
- ^ Sisyphus / Sysyphus by Pink Floyd, YouTube.
- ^ Winter, Douglas E. (2002). Clive Barker: The Dark Fantastic. New York: HarperCollins. p. 72. ISBN 978-0-00-715092-2.
