The Battle of the Gods

The Battle of the Gods is a sonata for two pianos inspired by fragments of the Babylonian creation myth known as Enuma Elish. It was commissioned by Duo Q'inti: Hwaen Ch'uqi and Emi Okumura. The piece focuses on five moments of the story: 1) the creation of the gods by Apsu and Tiamat, 2) the lament of these two due to the actions of their offspring, 3) the preparations for war on both sides, 4) the battle between Tiamat and Marduk, who ultimately kills her, and 6) the exaltation of Marduk.