Quadriga (2025)
(Concert Suite for Saxophone Quartet and Orchestra)

The Quadriga in ancient Greece and Rome is the two-wheel chariot pulled by four horses side by side. In classical mythology, it is the chariot of the gods and the heroes – a symbol of triumph. Helios the Greek god of the sun, and Apollo the Roman god of light are often depicted driving a quadriga across the arch of the sky, bringing forth daylight and dispersing the night.

For years I have been fascinated by the logic and narratives of dreams. While dreams often feel logical and consequential as long as we are asleep, they may appear strangely erratic and capricious once we awake and try to remember.

My music takes place in the state right between: not quite awake, not quite asleep on the verge between dream and reality. This piece consist of ten short pieces, separate movements or „dream sequences“ which each have their own short narrative all of which form a larger one all together.

It appears to be a triumphant rise, a journey out of darkness towards the light. But we cannot tell if it is real. For in the world of half-dream, nothing is completely clear, nothing is straight-forward or one-directional – like in our lives.

Movements:
1. Escape
2. Panorama
3. Free Fall
4. La Chasse
5. Gravity
6. Ascend
7. Zenith
8. Labyrinth
9. Vertigo
10. Quadriga

Søren Nils Eichberg, 2025