Difference between revisions of "Stoicheia"

Revision as of 17:16, 24 November 2014

General Info

Year: 1987/88
Duration: c. 65:00
Difficulty: (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: James Wood Edition
Cost: Score and Parts - Contact Composer | Score Only - $125.00

Movements

Instrumentation

Earth Group:
2 solo percussionists
percussion ensemble of 6 players

Constellation Group:
percussion ensemble of 7 players
4 MIDI keyboards

Tape and amplification

Program Notes

Stoicheion (Gr): 1 Element - component into which matter is ultimately divisible Empedocles named the four 'Risdomata' (early form of the word 'Stoicheion') as Fire, Air, Earth and Water. 2 Simple sound of speech (first component of a syllable) 3 Fundamental principle 4 Shadow of a sundial, and the Signs of the Zodiac

Aristoxenes (third century musical theorist) wrote three books of 'Stoicheia Harmonika' and two of 'Stoicheia Rhythmika' which show us the astonishingly sophisticated state of harmonic, melodic and rhythmic evolution 300 years before Christ.

Whilst the actual composition of Stoicheia took place between September 1987 and March 1988, preparations for it go back to 1982. During this period I devoted much time to the study of many ancient rhythmic techniques, in particular those of Ancient Greek metre, Indonesian Gamelan techniques, Indian and Chinese rhythms, as well as what survives of Aristoxenes' Theory of Rhythm. My purpose has never been to imitate or extract any part of these rhythms - rather I have sought the 'key' to the physical, psychological and aesthetic effects they have on us. I then used these ancient fundamental principles as the foundation of my own particular rhythmic techniques. The musicians in Stoicheia are divided into a central group, representing the Earth, and an outer group, representing the Constellations:

Earth Group: Two solo percussionists A 'Chorus' of six percussionists Constellation-Group: Seven percussionists playing twelve groups of bells (=the twelve Signs of the Zodiac) arranged around the edge of the hall. Three of these players join the 'Chorus' during Part II . Four MIDI keyboard players (whose sound is spatialised around the hall), two triggering Yamaha TX16W Samplers, and two triggering TX8O2 Synthesisers. A supporting computer-generated soundfile (also spatialised around the hall) also forms a part of the Constellation-Group.

Review

...a work that needs to be experienced live, since it relies much on the spatial distribution of its forces and, moreover, on a very special ritualistic, communal atmosphere and metaphysical aesthetic. Stoicheia owes little to traditional Western forms, procedures or ideas and yet, after a single hearing, it draws you into its unique world.' Antony Bye, Tempo, March 91^[1]

Errata

Awards

Commercial Discography

Recent Performances

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Works for Percussion by this Composer

Additional Resources

References

↑ http://www.choroi.net/percens.htm

[1] ttp://www.choroi.net/percens.htm

[1]