In the original scoring for this production, the Greeks were represented by a saxophone quartet, the Trojans by a brass quintet. Although reorchestrated for more conventional forces, a wailing soprano sax still depicts the agony of the Greek champion Achilles and his refusal to fight. David Suchet played Achilles in this uncompromising version directed by Terry Hands. 

"The final half-hour is brilliant, the battle skirmishes harshly staged in relentless cross beams to the accompaniment of a Waltonesque soundtrack by Nigel Hess." (Michael Coveney, Financial Times)

Description: orchestra

Duration (mins): 9

Genre: Orchestral - Full Orchestra

Instrumentation: 3(III=picc).2.ca.2.bcl.ssax.2 – 4.3.2.btrbn.1 – timp – perc(3):tam-t/BD/susp.cym/TD/2 SD/mark tree/vib/bell/tgl/tamb/ vibraslap/bell in water - harp - soprano voice - synth - strings

First Performance: July 1982, Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, UK: Royal Shakespeare Company/Dir. Terry Hands