Echoes of Narcissus

Echoes of Narcissus by Melvin Lauf, Jr.
For 2 Piccolos and Piano
Includes score and parts
Duration: 7:00

Echoes of Narcissus is based on the story in Greek mythology of Narcissus. Narcissus meaning “sleep, numbness,” was a hunter who was renowned for his beauty. He fell in love with his own reflection in a pool, not realizing it was merely an image, and he wasted away to death, not being able to leave the beauty of his own reflection. He pined away and was changed into the flower that bears his name.

The piece starts off wtih the piccolos bouncing their reflections back and forth, while the piano lays down a calm watery reflective surface. The piccolos are quickly mesmerized by the image on the other side.

While being transfixed, a fight or struggle for Narcissus takes place. Does he tear himself away from the beauty that he doth see? Or does he walk away and rejoin the world? He simply cannot move. Eventually, the years move on, and he wastes away and is then transformed into a flower.