Sysyphus

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For the figure of Greek mythology, see Sisyphus.

"Sysyphus" is an avant-garde, instrumental four part suite written by progressive rock band Pink Floyd's keyboardist Richard Wright. The song is regarded as a very experimental and psychedelic song, with parts III and IV sounding almost as nonsense. The song is featured on his portion of the studio half of Ummagumma (and is the song that opens the studio album). Sysyphus was only ever played live four times in the band's history.

Rick Wright's instrumental was named after a character in Greek mythology, more usually spelt "Sisyphus" (Mabbett 1995). Orthographic differences aside the song is clearly a musical interpretation of the Sisyphean Challenge. Wright's portrayal of Sisyphus pushing the rock up a steep hill in Hades is evident in the slow almost droning parts of the song. Brief moments of musical calm as Sisyphus reaches the top of the hill are followed by the song's cacophonous portions in which Wright uses dissonance to show the desperation of Sisyphus as he chases the rock down the other side. The track was occasionally performed live in 1970.

Song Parts

• Sysyphus Part I
• Sysyphus Part II
• Sysyphus Part III
• Sysyphus Part IV

Credits

• Richard Wright - Farfisa Organ, Mellotron, Piano.
• Roger Waters - Bass guitar
• Nick Mason - Timpani

See also

• Sisyphus
• The Myth of Sisyphus, a philosophical essay by Albert Camus
• Tantalus

References

The Complete Guide to the Music of Pink Floyd by Andy Mabbett, 1995, pp. 27-28

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