Eternal Ascent for Reed Quintet

Eternal Ascent portrays the Greek myth of Sisyphus, who was punished by the Gods and sentenced to roll a large boulder up a hill every day, only for it to fall back down when it neared the top.

This constant and arduous task symbolizes the more frustrating side of learning to play an instrument, the stretches of time where no progress is being made or even periods of regression. The music reflects this anguish through its dark and somber tone, with moments of ascending hope anticlimactically returning to the same introductory material, starting this relentless journey over once more.

Though this myth can be a daunting one, we can all be hopeful that we have the ability to push the metaphorical boulder to the top of the mountain with enough work and persistence.

Eternal Ascent was written for Ben MacDonald's method book, REED REVOLUTION: A Fundamental Approach to Reed Quintet.