Selene’s Reverie depicts Greek lunar goddess, Selene, in two different states: Quietly musing, which is represented by a lyrical, omnipresent oboe melody; and, driving her chariot drawn by a pair of winged steeds, which is evoked through a fast, dance-like section. The delicate, often sparse orchestration recalls for me the impressionists - notable proponents of the reverie. However, the title also derives from a more archaic definition of the word: ‘a fanciful or impractical idea’, which ties in with Selene’s wish to seduce mortal shepherd prince, Endymion. Some accounts of her tale even attribute to Selene a wish to condemn Endymion to eternal slumber, which is reflected in the somewhat unsettled nature of her melody.

Commissioned by St Peter's Chamber Orchestra