In this WebQuest you will learn about the Roman poet Ovid and his work "Metamorphoses" - especially about the episode "Pan and Syrinx" in the first book of the "Metamorphoses".
Your over-all task: Build a virtual "gallery" with important pieces from European art (music, painting / sculpture, literature) which show us: Ovid is one of the most important poets of Europe - being a source of inspiration for many artists from different times!
And now:
I. Let's start with music. Just listen.
Which effect does the music have on you? Which impression does it give you?
Go to the forum and tell us your impressions, feelings, observations in the forum, please.
II. Information
As you certainly have realized, the music piece is called "Syrinx".
It is inspired by the ancient myth of the nymph dryad and the god Pan.
Please, inform yourself about the two main persons of this episode.
If you like you can use this video:
III. Latin text
The most influential version of the myth undoubtedly is that one which has been written by the Roman author Publius Ovidius Naso, known as Ovid .
Let's read the text - and translate it for our "European Latin book"!
You can download the text here:
Syrinx-Text
Page 113 / 114 of this commentary may be helpful for your translation.
IV. Back to ... MUSIC!
The piece for flute which was our starting point was written by Frensh composer Claude Debussy (1862-1918). It is called "Syrinx".
Also the British composer Benjamin Britten (1913-1976) used Ovid's text as inspiration for his music. The first piece of his "Six metamorphoses after Ovid" is called "Pan who played upon the reed pipe which was Syrinx, his beloved."
And there is an opus "Pan and Syrinx" for orchestra. The Danish composer Carl August Nielsen (1865-1931) wrote it in 1918.
Listen to the three pieces and write down your ideas about the following points (use THIS LINK to the TwinBoard on the next page for your contributions) :
1. Which part of the myth do you think is described in the music?
2. Give reason for your opinion!
3. Which of the three pieces do you like best? Why?
Claude Debussy, "Syrinx":
Benjamin Britten, "Pan":
Carl Nielsen, "Pan og Syrinx":
After this musical interpretation from three different composers from three different European countries let's find out more about Ovid's effect on European art in general:
V. A virtual "gallery" of European art - inspired by Ovid's "Metamorphoses"
For this task go to the sub-page "Gallery", please!