V 'Evocation II' - The Celestial Palace (1989) by Paul Max Edlin published on 2017-08-28T18:01:23Z The 5th movement from 'The Celestial Palace' 1989 (complete work appx. 25’) 2 mezzo-sopranos and ensemble alto.fl.0.3.0 – 1.0.3.0 – 2pnos, 2 perc, – 5 vc This work relates the legend of the Phimeanakas, The Celestial Palace, that lies in the heart of the ancient city of Angkor Thom. Each and every night the King had to have union with the serpent goddess in order for good to come to the Khmer kingdom. Failure to have this union would bring calamity to the empire. The work is structured on the physical shape of the Phimeanakas, it uses original Sanskrit texts found on the steles of the ancient Khmer kingdom and the narratives contained within are symbolised in a host of ways. This work became the central (and most intimate) act of a five act opera 'Bayon', that celebrates the life of Jayavarman VII, the most famous and extraordinary of the ancient Khmer rulers. © Paul Max Edlin 2016 The performers on this recording are RCM Twentieth Century Ensemble conducted by Edwin Roxburgh. The illustration is by Louis Delaporte (1842 – 1925) A film version of this complete work is available on You Tube via this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_FmTMxiMZbQ&t=273s Genre Contemporary Classical Comment by Christopher Larkins | Composer There is sensitive and delicate beauty throughout, yet there is a sense of foreboding that is inescapable. Great section of the overall piece Paul 2019-05-12T16:57:52Z