Classical remixed - part 9

Avatar: The Last Airbender (Epic Collection)

Avatar: The Last Airbender Theme (Cover)

The Titan Atlas is well-known as the holder of the heavens. This was his sentence for his part in the war between the Titans and the Olympian gods for control of the heavens. He is also found in Roman myth concerning Heracles.
In one of the Twelve Labours, Heracles was required to get some of the golden apples that grew in Hera's garden tended by Atlas’ daughters. Heracles volunteered to hold up the heavens while Atlas got the apples from his daughters. When Atlas came back with the apples he tried to trick Heracles and free himself from the burden of his punishment. Heracles was no fool and pretended to agree, asking Atlas to hold the sky whilst he fixed his cloak. Heracles ran away with the apples. 
In some myths Heracles built the two great Pillars of Hercules to hold the sky away from the earth, liberating Atlas much as he liberated Prometheus.
Using this story as its inspiration, the piece is introduced with an orchestral tutti accent much like that used in Carmina Burana ‘O Fortuna'. This develops into a flowing melody over a reiterated ostinato. The music settles to a calm pastoral theme based on the initial tutti motif before returning to a recapitulation on the main theme.

Taking a Stand

Henry Jackman

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