Scythe - Mythology

Mythology

The scythe also plays an important traditional role, often appearing as weapons in the hands of mythical beings such as Cronus, and the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, specifically, Grim Reaper (Death). This stems mainly from the Christian Biblical belief of death as a "harvester of souls".

The French Baroque composer, Joseph-Nicolas-Pancrace Royer (1705-1755), composed "La Marche des Scythes" (from Pièces De Clavecin 1746), an opera transcription for harpsichord. It has been recorded by many harpsichordists (see YouTube). The website for the recording by Christophe Rousset on Arckiv Music has a quote from musicologist Johann van Veen describing the piece as "'tumultuous', with virtuosic scales and noisy chords."

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