Kohalo
General Info
Year: 2010
Duration: c. 9:00
Difficulty: Grade 4 (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: C. Alan Publications
Cost: Score and Parts - $36.00 | Score Only - $0.00
Movements
Instrumentation
Player I: Vibraphone, *Tahitian Toere, Large Ocean Drum (shared w/ Player 4)
Player II: Crotales, Suspended Cymbal, High & Low Sleigh Bells, **Hawaiian Ipu
Player III: Marimba (4.5-octave shared w/ Player 4), Small Ocean Drum, Metal Music Stand (not wire)
Player IV: Marimba (4.5-octave shared w/ Player 3), Large Ocean Drum (shared w/ Player 1), Pedal Kick Drum, 12/13” Concert Tom
Oboe (or Bb Clarinet or Soprano Saxophone)
Program Notes
Kohola (Hawaiian for humpback whale), written for oboe and percussion quartet, was inspired from the songs of humpback whales. The compositional melodic and harmonic material was derived from the actual audio frequencies of a whale recorded off the coast of Maui in February of 2009. The work begins slowly and freely with ocean drums and the oboe stating the main theme in F Lydian. The theme is repeated in a steady tempo with the marimba and vibes providing the harmonic support. The middle of the work is fast and rhythmic making use of traditional instruments of the Pacific Islands, particularly the Hawaiian Ipu and the Tahitian Toere. The melodic lines of the oboe are realized from the frequencies taken from a middle portion of the audio whale song. The piece returns to the opening theme and ends calmly with the audio recording of the humpback whale mixed in with the harmonic fabric. The work is dedicated to Dr. James Darling and the Whale Trust of Paia, Hawai'i. "Kohola" was premiered on February 4, 2010 at the Festival of Contemporary Art Music on the Washington State University campus.
• The recorded whale song is optional at the end of the piece. If it is used, the recording begins at measure 151. The recording may be downloaded at: http://www.c-alanpublications.com/mp3/kohol-whales.mp3[1]
Commercial Discography
Online Recordings
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Recent Performances
To submit a performance please join the TEK Percussion Database
Works for Percussion by this Composer
a.s. of 1991 - Drum Set; Electronics
Digga-digga-digga-digga-digga-digga-digga-digga-DEEGOT - Percussion Duo
Edifice - Percussion Sextet; Trumpet
Fanfare: Beijing 1989 - Percussion Quintet
Jungle Walk - Marimba
Kohalo - Percussion Quartet; Oboe, (or Bb Clarinet or Soprano Saxophone)
Macbeth and MacDonwald - Multiple Percussion; Trumpet
Tusk! - Percussion Octet
Additional Resources
References