The Dream of Tiberius

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Piccolo, Flute 1, Flute 2, Flute 3, Oboe, English Horn, Bassoon, Clarinet in Bb 1, Clarinet in Bb 2, Clarinet in Bb 3, Bass Clarinet, Soprano Saxophone, Alto Saxophone 1, Alto Saxophone 2, Tenor Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone, Trumpet in Bb 1, Trumpet in Bb 2, Trumpet in Bb 3, Horn 1, Horn 2, Horn 3, Horn 4, Trombone 1, Trombone 2, Bass Trombone, Euphonium, Tuba, Timpani, Marimba, Glockenspiel, Crotales, Percussion 1, Percussion 2, Percussion 3, Percussion 4 — The Roman Emperor Tiberius was born in 42 BCE to Tiberius Claudius Nero and LiviaDrusilla, both descendants of prestigious political families, at a time when Rome wasundergoing significant political upheaval. Julius Caesar had begun a brutal civil war in 49BCE to end Rome's rule as a Republic and consolidate his power as supreme ruler. FollowingCaeser's assassination in 44 BCE, Tiberius' father backed the forces wishing to return Rometo a Republic, but they were defeated by Caesarian loyalists led by Caeser's heir Octavian.As a result, Tiberius' early life was spent on the run and in political exile with his parents.In 27 BCE, Octavian would become the first Emporer of Rome and assume the nameAugustus. Augustus forced Tiberius' parents to divorce and took Tiberius' mother as his newbride, separating the family and forcing Tiberius to live with his father. Upon his father'sdeath, Tiberius went to live with his mother and Emporer Augustus, a situation Tiberiusfound extremely uncomfortable but one over which he had no control. Having been adoptedby the Emperor, Tiberius assumed the military and political life thrust upon him. He provedto be an outstanding military and political leader, and with his marriage to VipsaniaAgrippina his life took on a heretofore unknown stability. However, Augustus wouldintervene in Tiberius' life once more, forcing him to abandon his happy marriage and takeAugustus' daughter Julia (Tiberius' step sister) as his new wife. This arrangement, whilesecuring Tiberius' place as Augustus' heir and ensuring he would one day be Emperor ofRome, was disastrous. Julia's drunken licentiousness was a constant source of scandal andembarrassment for Tiberius (and her father, the Emperor) and she was eventually exiled byher father Augustus.Tiberius was named Emperor of Rome upon the death of Augustus in AD 14, assuming hisposition as the most powerful man on Earth. However, no matter how powerful he hadbecome, Tiberius never felt as if he had ever had any control over his life, having beenmanipulated from childhood through adulthood by the whims of Augustus. As Emperor, hesoon became disgusted with the political intrigue of the Roman Senate and by AD 26 leftRome and took up residence on the island of Capri, where he lived out the rest of his life.History does not regard Tiberius fondly and by all accounts towards the end of his reclusivelife on Capri, he had become a miserable, sick and mentally unstable old man reveling indebauchery and cruelty. It is also informative to note that he was Emperor of Rome whenJesus of Nazareth was crucified, and while there is no indication that Tiberius was evenaware of the existence of Jesus, as Emperor he was responsible for the appointment ofPontius Pilate as Governor of Judea. Even considering this, it is difficult to look on the life ofthe Emperor Tiberius and not feel some sympathy and pity. It's in this spirit that I composed"The Dream of Tiberius." I imagine the man sitting in thoughtful seclusion on the beautifulisland of Capri imagining what his life might have happily been had not power been thrustupon him: husband, father and humble servant of the people. "The Dream of Tiberius" imagines the inner life of the Roman Emperor who, despite immense power, spent his final years in bitter isolation on the island of Capri. Manipulated from childhood by Augustus, Tiberius lost control over his own destiny—forced into unwanted marriages and a public role he never sought. Though he proved a capable leader, his reign was marked by sorrow, scandal, and retreat. This piece reflects a moment of introspection: a dream of what might have been—a life of peace, love, and quiet purpose, rather than the hollow trappings of empire. A haunting portrait of reluctant power and lost humanity.

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