The Official Edward Gregson Web Site

• Genre: Educational
• Date of Composition: 1980
• Commission information: Croydon Schools Music Association
• Piece Duration: 25
• Publisher: Manuscript Only

This cantata was commissioned by the Croydon Schools' Music Association with funds provided by the Arts Council of Great Britain. It was first performed in May 1980 at the Fairfield Hall, Croydon, conducted by Roy Terry. The text is by the composer's wife, Susan Gregson.

The story tells of the adventures of some children caught up in the magical realms beyond Earth. They are transported into space to rescue the Moonraker, held captive by the god Thor. They enlist the help of the mythological Salamander to carry them through Thor's barrier of fire and rescue the Moonraker and take her back to the Moon.

The music is scored for large children's choir, melodic and non-melodic percussion instruments, with the addition of an adult narrator, piano duet, and percussionist. The work is unified by the use of a four-note melodic 'cell' (C, D flat, G flat, G) which makes various appearances throughout the work. The tritone encompassed in this 'cell' is also of great significance. The music is widely contrasting in its use of 'free' passages and set songs, some 'popular' in style and idiom.

The cantata falls into eight main sections, each of which has a sub-title as follows:
Introduction, The Salamander's Song, Glittering Galaxy, The Moonraker's Song,Thor God of Thunder, We want the Moonraker, Thor's Thunderstorm, Going Home.

The cantata lasts for some 25 minutes.

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