Taking the same chords and arpeggios in “Euridice’s Descent,” kind of like ripping out Adam’s rib, I write another piece. Euridice’s love Orpheus, Orpheo, or Orfeo descends to Hell to look for her. In “Orfeo Arpeggio,” I explore different ways to descend using arpeggios, hence “Orfeo Arpeggio.”
The love story of Orfeo and Euridice is tragic. It’s unrequited love, for, shortly after they met (and got married), Euridice fell sick and died. There are different versions of how she ended up in Hell. The important thing is that Orfeo, also spelled Orpheus, Orpheo, went to look for her. He bargained with Hades to bring her back. There was one condition.
I love that I’m able to use the open G string in successive measures. It provides a common thread in all the harmonic changes, acting as a pedal tone or drone of sorts.
I also love the familiar chord shapes and the harmonies they produce on different parts of the ukulele fretboard.
