Uploaded April 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Alcestis (1960)
I. Alcestis and Thanatos
II. Revelling Hercules
III. Battle of Hercules and Thanatos
IV. Dance of Triumph and the Rescue of Alcestis
Imperial Philharmonic of Tokyo
William Strickland
The working procedure was much different than it had been in Fine’s previous experience with choreographers. Heretofore the choreography preceded the music. With Alcestis, Fine wrote the music from a dramatic script written by Martha Graham. As stated on the score, Fine’s intention was “an attempt to depict the dramatic and emotional qualities of the myth…[that] avoids descriptive or representational writing.” As a musical work, the score is self-sufficient. Fine distilled the essence of the myth into a sonic drama expressed by contrapuntal lines enhanced by imaginative orchestration and flexible rhythms to complete the composer’s realization of Alcestis. Later she extracted sections of the ballet score to create an independent composition, an orchestral suite.
The following synopsis of the ballet’s mythological story is taken from CRI’s original LP release: “Alcestis has sacrificed herself to Thanatos (Death) in order that her husband, Admetus, king of Thessaly, might attain immortality. While the house of Admetus mourns her demise, Hercules arrives. While the news of Alcestis’ death has been kept from him...Hercules indulges in a heroic, might we say Herculean, bout of feasting and drinking. When he learns, by the careless words of a servant, of her death, he engages mighty Thanatos in combat. Victorious, her returns Alcestis to her husband and her people.” --Heidi Von Gunden
Art by Maurice Denis
Alcestis (1960)
I. Alcestis and Thanatos
II. Revelling Hercules
III. Battle of Hercules and Thanatos
IV. Dance of Triumph and the Rescue of Alcestis
Imperial Philharmonic of Tokyo
William Strickland
The working procedure was much different than it had been in Fine’s previous experience with choreographers. Heretofore the choreography preceded the music. With Alcestis, Fine wrote the music from a dramatic script written by Martha Graham. As stated on the score, Fine’s intention was “an attempt to depict the dramatic and emotional qualities of the myth…[that] avoids descriptive or representational writing.” As a musical work, the score is self-sufficient. Fine distilled the essence of the myth into a sonic drama expressed by contrapuntal lines enhanced by imaginative orchestration and flexible rhythms to complete the composer’s realization of Alcestis. Later she extracted sections of the ballet score to create an independent composition, an orchestral suite.
The following synopsis of the ballet’s mythological story is taken from CRI’s original LP release: “Alcestis has sacrificed herself to Thanatos (Death) in order that her husband, Admetus, king of Thessaly, might attain immortality. While the house of Admetus mourns her demise, Hercules arrives. While the news of Alcestis’ death has been kept from him...Hercules indulges in a heroic, might we say Herculean, bout of feasting and drinking. When he learns, by the careless words of a servant, of her death, he engages mighty Thanatos in combat. Victorious, her returns Alcestis to her husband and her people.” --Heidi Von Gunden
Art by Maurice Denis
