Track 27 returns to high drama and the Fight with the Roc. Trumpets clash, high woodwind screeches and deep brass provide at least two levels of vertical perspective. The dragon is portrayed with deep growling brass and quiet piano. Tuba and trombone give the blackest rasping edge to the poem. Timpani battle and hammer it out into a gruff snarl from the brass.
Transformation is another sinuous theme half unfolded.
The Duel With The Skeleton sounds at least half jocular with clinking xylophone, clip-clopping wood blocks and a hectic brass death hunt. The echoing drums reminded me of the opening pages of Havergal Brian's Gothic Symphony . Herrmann would have known or known of this work. Dragon and Cyclops are punched out with clean-cut brass and the subterranean growling of the contrabassoon. Piano and anvil add an edge of Mussorgskian colour.