If you'd like to explore music that connects to themes in "The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical," a production put on by the Coterie Theatre, listen to Classical KC's curated Spotify playlist below.
Plus, find more educational resources on the Coterie Theatre's Edublog, which includes suggested readings, lesson plans, and sites for students to explore.
Track Listing
When listening to this playlist, are there any Greek myths or figures you recognize? Were any of them featured in the musical?
Carl Nielsen: Helios Overture – Inspired by the god of sun and the sunrise.
Ludwig van Beethoven: The Creatures of Prometheus, Op. 43 – Inspired by the story of the titan Prometheus, who gave the gift of fire to humanity freeing them to create their own destinies.
George Frideric Handel: The Choice of Hercules, HWV 69 – Written about the life of the demigod Hercules and the critical crossroads he met to either choose a life of labor and virtue, or pleasure and unease.
Carl Ditters von Dittersdorf: Symphony No. 4 (The Rescuing of Andromeda by Perseus) – This piece describes Perseus, a son of Zeus, who saves Andromeda who was to be killed by a sea monster.
Richard Strauss: Die Liebe der Danae, Op. 83 – The love of Danae: this piece is based on Zeus’s pursuit of Danae, the mother of Perseus.
Luigi Cherubini: Medea – This Greek myth-inspired work comes from the story of Medea who falls in love with Jason on his quest for the golden fleece from her Medea’s father.
Albert Roussel: Bacchus et Ariane, Op. 43, Suite No. 2 – After Ariane helped Theseus kill the minotaur, he leaves her on an island where Bacchus, the god of wine, falls in love with her.
George Frideric Handel: Atalanta, HWV 35 – Inspired by the myth of Atalanta who was banished to the wilderness and became a huntress of the goddess, Artemis.
Sergei Slonimsky: Icarus Suite – Slonimsky depicts the entire pith of Icarus. Daedalus and his son Icarus are imprisoned on a tall mountain to contain the secret that Daedalus created a labyrinth to hide the minotaur from the public. This is what inspires Icarus to take flight.
Franz Schubert: “An Schwager Kronos,” (Coachman Kronos) Op. 19, No. 1, D. 369 – Kronos, the god of time, was revered as a, “destructive and all-devouring force.” He consumed his children to avoid the prophecy that his offspring would overthrow him.
Felix Mendelssohn: Oedipus at Colonus, Op. 93 – Mendelssohn’s interpretation of the tragedy of Oedipus who unknowingly kills his father and marries his mother.
Karol Szymanowski: Myths, Op. 30, No. 2 “Narcissus” – Narcissus was the most beautiful and handsome man alive and was so obsessed with his own image that he was repulsed by anyone else.