Inspired by the Hindu story of Garuda, the deity who swallowed a tortoise and an elephant to gain strength , The Great Appetite of Garuda portrays great weight and power. A four-note motif enters, clumsily tripping over itself but gradually gains momentum as it is passed between different groups of instruments. A softer, muted section follows, slowly introducing a new theme that is marked by a rising perfect fourth then falls a minor sixth, outlining a major triad. This rising figure and the falling four-note motif heard at the beginning of the movement continue clashing in a series of climaxes locked-in-combat to the end of the work.

Catalogue No. 04018

Digital score samples are available upon request.
Version without horns also available.