Sisyphos

The Swedish composer Karl Blomdahl’s first Choreographic suite was inspired by the legend of Sisyphus, the King of Corinth, who was punished by Zeus for betraying divine secrets and condemned to spend his days rolling a stone uphill. It was first produced as a ballet by choreographer Birgit Aakesson.

Blomdahl’s music is both lyrical and robust, taking influence from a variety of mid-twentieth century idioms from modernism to blues. Sisyphos presents eight dances of varying character. Persephone’s Dance is a gentle air for strings, while The Dance with Death is macabre and rhythmic. The final, vigorous Dance of Life builds in energy with a host of percussion instruments driving the music to a powerful culmination. The work is ideal in combination with Blomdahl’s other short ballets.