The magical world of King Arthur, Merlin and Mordred is the setting for Avalon. Unexpected opening figures portray the sudden entrance into another world. A choral-like melody represents the procession of ghosts headed by the mighty magician Merlin. Suddenly, ostinato figures and bi-tonal motifs indicate the attempt of Mordred and his horde to disturb the peace and quiet in the otherwise calm Avalon. Following a powerful statement of King Arthur, we hear a glissando referring back to the opening...