Chakra

File:Changethistothecomposername.jpg

Composer Name

Kevin Volans

General Info

Year: 2003
Duration: c. 22:00
Difficulty: (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Chester
Cost: Score and Parts - $0.00   |   Score Only - $0.00

Instrumentation

Player I:
Player II:
Player III:

Program Notes

Ever since I heard Sisu play in South Africa at the Grahamstown Festival I wanted to write for them, and this has came to fruition at Ultima Festival in Oslo.

I was interested in writing a virtuoso piece in which the speed of the drumming was such that, rather than rhythms, I would be working with 'planes' of sound - planes which seemed to me to give an illusion of curving. To assist this, and help with their co-ordination, the players are grouped in a circle. Many of the patterns move around from one player to another, ascending or descending in a spiral fashion. I wanted to eliminate any hint of an ethnic quality to the music, so chose drums which are distinctly western. Also for the first time since the seventies, I've used some serial composition techniques, partially in acknowledgement of my teacher of 30 years ago, Stockhausen. He turns 75 the year I wrote the piece.

Like two of my other percussion pieces I have given this piece a Sanskrit name. 'Chakra' means 'wheel' - a name which reflects some moments in the piece.

premiere: 6th October 2003, Ultima Festival, Oslo
commission: Sisu ensemble

Recent Performances

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Works for Percussion by this Composer

Akrodha - Multiple Percussion
Asanga - Multiple Percussion
Chakra - Percussion Trio
Chakra for 3 percussionists and orchestra (Volans) - Percussion Trio; Orchestra
Concerto for Solo Percussion and Ensemble (Volans) - Multiple Percussion; Chamber Ensemble
She who sleeps with a small blanket - Multiple Percussion