Paul Osterfield

ICARUS

violin, violoncello, piano (about 8 minutes)

The tale of Icarus gives rise to the phrase "fly too close to the sun." According to Greek myth, Icarus and his father Daedalus were imprisoned by King Minos in a labyrinth that Daedalus created for Minos. To escape, Daedalus made wings for both of them. They tested the wings first, then they flew away. Before escaping, Daedalus warned his son not to fly too high, and not to fly too low. Unfortunately, Icarus did not heed his father's warning, and he flew high, "too close to the sun," and the wax that held the wings together melted, causing Icarus to fall to his death. Daedalus looked back, and not seeing his son in the sky, looked below to see Icarus drowning in the sea. While mourning, Daedalus flew down to bury his son.

Icarus (2025) is Paul Osterfield's third composition for violin, cello, and piano, and it is one of his few programmatic works. The work starts with the imprisonment of our main characters, and ends with Icarus depicted as an angel, while Daedalus morns his son. In general, Icarus is represented by the violin, Daedalus by the cello, and nature by the piano.

Icarus is commissioned by and dedicated to the Galan Trio.

Score and parts available for purchase (please email me at paul@paulosterfield.com):



		ICARUS violin, violoncello, piano (about 8 minutes) The tale of Icarus gives rise to the phrase "fly too close to the sun." According to Greek myth, Icarus and his father Daedalus were imprisoned by King Minos in a labyrinth that Daedalus created for Minos. To escape, Daedalus made wings for both of them. They tested the wings first, then they flew away. Before escaping, Daedalus warned his son not to fly too high, and not to fly too low. Unfortunately, Icarus did not heed his father's warning, and he flew high, "too close to the sun," and the wax that held the wings together melted, causing Icarus to fall to his death. Daedalus looked back, and not seeing his son in the sky, looked below to see Icarus drowning in the sea. While mourning, Daedalus flew down to bury his son. Icarus (2025) is Paul Osterfield's third composition for violin, cello, and piano, and it is one of his few programmatic works. The work starts with the imprisonment of our main characters, and ends with Icarus depicted as an angel, while Daedalus morns his son. In general, Icarus is represented by the violin, Daedalus by the cello, and nature by the piano. Icarus is commissioned by and dedicated to the Galan Trio. Score and parts available for purchase (please email me at paul@paulosterfield.com):