page_title: Phaethon (composition)
section_title: Composition
hierarchical_section_title: Phaethon (composition) / Composition
context_page_description: Phaethon is a symphonic poem by the American composer Christopher Rouse. The work was commissioned in celebration of the United States Bicentennial by the Philadelphia Orchestra with contributions from Johnson & Higgins. It was completed on February 22, 1986 and was given its world premiere at the Academy of Music in Philadelphia by the Philadelphia Orchestra under the direction of Riccardo Muti on January 8, 1987. It is dedicated in memory of the crew of the Space Shuttle Challenger, which broke apart on the morning of January 28, 1986 while Rouse was composing the piece. Since its premiere, Phaethon has become one of Rouse's most popular orchestral compositions.
context_section_description: Phaethon is composed in a single movement and has a duration of approximately 6 minutes.
caption: The fall of Phaethon, Johann Liss, early 17th century.
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