Variations on Angry Themes

Instrumentation: Perc., Vcl.

Duration: 10:00 min

Description:

This work was created under the aegis of the Gabriela Lena Frank Creative Academy of Music and premiered by Leo Eguchi and Haruka Fujii in Oakland, California on September 2nd, 2019.

In Variations on Angry Themes, two angry themes undergo a series of variations, developing both musical and emotional portrayals of anger as it manifests within an individual. The piece begins rather misleadingly, where seemingly explosive gestures still feel as if they are internalised through contrasts of heart thumping rhythms and ominous drum rolls. Tensions finally become explosive during the climax, through stomping and yelling gestures, after which the anger diminishes to nothing more than a fidgety tick.

This piece was premiered and live streamed Monday September 2nd, 2019 at Paul Dresher Studios in Oakland California.

Listen:

Performers: Haruka Fujii on percussion and Leo Eguchi on cello