NOTES to MINOTAURUS study for solo violin.

The composition of "METAMORPHOSEN EINES LABYRINTHS", commisioned by the Wiener Streichersolisten for a concert at the "Festival de Paris" (1991), again led the composer, René Staar, to an interest in a creature from Greek mythology, the inhabitant of the Minoan Labyrinth. However, it was two works of the 20th Century that specifically prompted Staar's new composition: Pablo Picasso's "MINOTAUROMACHIE" and Dürrenmatt's Minotaurus-Ballad. The first awakening of the mythological creature in a labyrinth of mirrors (Dürrenmatt), the imaginary, at times awkward although at other times apparently elastic movements of a being, part human part animal born out of an erotic delerious dream, are converted into musical motion, dance. Rhythmic phrases as they are used in flamenco,for example, with their diverse accentuation and movements, overlapping and shifts of emphasis determine then the last part of this imaginary ballet for one instrument. The extension of this Study into a Ballet in three, large-scale scenes (the Minotaur alone - the Minotaur and the Virgin - the Death of the Minotaur) is planned and the draft of the first scenes completed. It lies in waiting for the composer to find an opportunity for completion.

The Minotaurus Study was first performed on 20.11.1991 at the University of Cincinnati.
Duration approx. 5 minutes.