Haralabos [Harry] Stafylakis

Scars & Braids

(2014)
for 4 players
flute, violin, cello, and percussion
13 minutes

Composed for the Cadillac Moon Ensemble.

Recorded on April 9, 2014 at Elebash Hall, NYC (live recording of World Premiere).

Score and parts available for purchase (PDF or hard copy). Send an inquiry through the Contact page.

Perusal score

click here to view perusal score online

"Out of suffering have emerged the strongest souls; the most massive characters are seared with scars."
-Khalil Gibran (1883-1931)

"The Scythian soldier scrapes the scalp clean of flesh and, rubbing it between his hands to soften it, uses it thenceforth as a napkin. The Scyth is proud of these scalps and hangs them from his bridle rein; the greater the number of such napkins that a man can show, the more highly is he esteemed among his brethren. Many make themselves cloaks by sewing a quantity of these scalps together."
-Herodotus (ca. 484–425 BCE)

A warrior is marked by battle – body and mind. Wounds take on symbolic meaning: this man has survived. Against all odds, he lives. His scars, those pale braids of fibrous tissue woven across his flesh, are the trophies of war. And so are the braids he has shorn off the heads of fallen enemies.