'The Raft of the Medusa' is an iconic painting by Theodore Gericault which hangs in the Louvre in Paris.
It's huge canvas both fascinates and repels in its depiction shipwrecked sailors clinging for survival on a makeshift raft after the ship sank. At least 157 people were cast adrift for 13 days and endured starvation, dehydration, cannibalism and madness.
Diabolical duet
The work is a diabolical duel between cornet and trombone; a violent tone poem showing off the technique of the soloists. It is a battle for survival.
Gareth Wood was born in Cilfynydd, South Wales in 1950. He wrote many works for orchestra, wind band and brass band including 'Actaeon', 'A Tear in the Fabric of Time' and 'Brass Triumphant' amongst other critically acclaimed compositions.
