This concerto, a fruitful collaboration with Oded Geizhals, evolved from my previous work for him combining percussion and electronics. It represents a progression to a larger scale piece - a concerto, embodying the multifaceted nature of 'Time'. This concept is not only reflective of the duration it took to compose and learn the piece but also resonates with the essence of musical timing, a domain often led by the percussionist.
Spanning seven uninterrupted movements, each segment of the concerto transitions the soloist to distinct percussion instruments, creating unique atmospheres and sonic landscapes. The opening and closing movements are marked by a drum set, akin to those in non-classical music, emphasizing a groove-centric approach. The second movement introduces the Kalimba, an unconventional, petite instrument with African origins. Subsequent movements explore keyboard percussion instruments - marimba, vibraphone, xylophone, and glockenspiel - showcasing a blend of wooden and metal sounds. The fourth movement is dedicated to gongs, and the climactic fifth movement to a variety of drums, mirroring the setup used by Xenakis in "Rebonds". The sixth movement features bells, before the finale circles back to the drum set.
Despite its classification as a percussion concerto, the other ensemble members play a crucial and challenging role. They are not merely accompaniments but equal partners in the musical journey, contributing to the depth and complexity of the piece.
This work is dedicated to my four beloved children.