Poseidon (Orchestra) | Matteo Ressa

Poseidon

Ruler of the Sea

Orchesra score, with quantities of each part listed in the description. Available as digital (PDF) score, with physical copies available for purchase by completing a Printed Score Order.

You may only print/distribute the number of copies you purchase. Please contact me if you would like to request additional instrumental parts.

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Instrumentation

1 Flute I

1 Flute II (db. Piccolo)

1 Oboe

1 Cor Anglais

1 Bb Clarinet I (db. A Clarinet)

1 Bb Clarinet II (db. A Clarinet)

1 Bassoon I

1 Bassoon II

1 Horn in F I

1 Horn in F II

1 Bb Trumpet I

1 Bb Trumpet II

1 Trombone I

1 Trombone II

1 Tuba (ad lib.)

1 Timpani

2 Percussion I (Bass Drum, Suspended Cymbals, Crash Cymbals, Snare

Drum)

2 Percussion II (Glockenspiel, Vibraphone)

2 Harp (ad lib.)

8 Violin I

7 Violin II

6 Viola

5 Violoncello

4 Double Bass

Duration

ca. 8 minutes

About the Work

Poseidon: Ruler of the Sea is a work for a small orchestra intended to capture the ebb and flow of the ocean. Initially conceived as a work for piano, I later expanded the work to an ensemble of 6-players before the current version took its form.

Poseidon was one of the principal gods of the Ancient Greeks. He was associated with calming the seas for safe travel, trade, and warfare, as well as being responsible for the creation of islands. Conversely, the god (sometimes referred to by his Roman name Neptune) would punish those who crossed him by causing storms, shipwrecks, and earthquakes.

Throughout this piece, I attempted to capture the types of feeling had atop the ocean by contrasting between majestic and powerful tutti passages alongside frequent instrumental solos across the orchestra frequently with a mysterious and sinister character. I also used the full range of the orchestra – from the lowest notes of the double bass to the hights of the violin and piccolo – to illustrate the sheer scale of the sea.

World Premiere

Premiered by the composer and the Equilibrium Symphony Orchestra at St Gabriel’s Church, Pimlico, London on 10 May, 2025.