Ohio native Steven Reineke (b. 1970) is a prolific composer and arranger, as well as the conductor of the New York Pops orchestra, making him one of the most sought after pops conductors in the United States. His music for wind band is regularly performed all over the world, as are his many arrangements for band and orchestra. In addition to the New York Pops, Reineke is the principal pops conductor at the National Symphony Orchestra, Houston Symphony, and Toronto Symphony Orchestra. He has appeared as a guest conductor throughout North America. He studied trumpet and composition at Miami University of Ohio. Read more about him at the New York Pops, the Wind Repertory Project, Chicago Symphony, Wikipedia, HeBu Music, and Peter Throm Management. Also check out this interview with him from 2012.
Reineke wrote Fate of the Gods in 2001. It is inspired by the story in Norse mythology of Ragnarök. The piece depicts a great struggle between good and evil, resulting in the destruction of all things and the emergence of a new, idyllic world in the aftermath. The programmatic elements are described as such on the HeBu website, links added by me:
The first section of the piece (measures 1-51) represents the creation of the primordial world in which forces of both good and evil are established. The second section (measures 52-118) is the development of the dark. devious themes that symbolize the God Loki, the personification of all things evil. His theme gives way to the more soothing music (measures 119-172) that represents the God Balder, son of Odin. Balder personifies all that is good, pure and innocent. When evil ensues once again (measures 173-179), Heimdall, the watchman of the Gods, sounds his horn, signaling the beginning of the end (measures 180-187). From all the corners of the world, gods, giants, dwarves, demons, and elves will ride towards the huge plain where the last battle will be fought. This tremendous battle brings about massive chaos and eventually the destruction of the world (measures 188-213). All is destroyed save one tree, the tree of life, known as Yggdrasil. The tree gradually brings existence back to the world (measures 214-225). This time it is only forces of goodness which are created. Evil has destroyed itself and good has won over all (measures 226-250).
Take a listen:
If you’re thinking that this story sounds very familiar, right down to the word “Ragnarök,” there are two major cultural touchstones that may be making you feel that way. The first is Richard Wagner‘s Ring Cycle, especially the final opera, Götterdämmerung, which also tells the Ragnarök story. Here’s a quick preview from a 2012 Metropolitan Opera production:
And a bonus orchestral excerpt, feature an incredible conducting performance by Sir Georg Solti:
The second is the 2017 film Thor: Ragnarok which brings this idea into the Marvel Cinematic Universe with a welcome splash of humor.