Generally Speaking It's Nothing But Rhythm

Filmed at St Brendan's Church, Bantry, Ireland

Alex Petcu

Joseph Schwantner Velocities

Ella Macens Falling Embers

Gene Koshinski Swerve

Iannis Xenakis Rebonds A

Elaine Agnew Seagull

Takatsugu Muramatsu Land

Kate Moore Spel 1 from Coral Speak

Nebojša Jovan Živković Generally Spoken It's Nothing But Rhythm

Joseph Schwantner [b.1943] Velocities [1990]
marimba

Ella Macens [b.1991]
Falling Embers [2020]
vibraphone

Gene Koshinski [b.1980]
Swerve [2016]
snare

Iannis Xenakis [1922-2001]
Rebonds A [1987-1989]
untuned percussion

Elaine Agnew [b.1967]
Seagull [2006]
marimba, vibraphone, untuned percussion

Takatsugu Muramatsu [b.1978]
Land [2002]
marimba

Kate Moore [b.1979]
Spel 1 from Coral Speak [2016]
vibraphone

Nebojša Jovan Živković [b.1962]
Generally Spoken It's Nothing But Rhythm [1990/91]
vibraphone, untuned percussion

For this programme, I wanted to select music that would work particularly well in a filmed context. In a live setting, large contrasts, surprises and dramatic pauses can often be very effective. These tend to not be quite as impactful when viewing on a screen; however film offers the opportunity to emphasize other qualities that may be otherwise overlooked. Clever viewing angles and a close-up view can offer the audience a chance to see as well as hear in detail the various patterns in the music, thus making the connection between visual and aural very close. For example, Velocities by Joseph Schwantner, which opens the concert, is a moto-perpetuo for marimba based on interlocking patterns and shifting metres. Being able to clearly see the mallets striking the bars means that the audience can see the patterns that are happening as well as hear them. The same is true for other works in the programme such as Koshinski’s Swerve for snare drum, where so much is based on an exploration of intricate techniques. Having a close-up view in this case is invaluable.

- Alex Petcu

Thank you for watching

To see the other concerts available in Bantry and Beyond visit the Chamber Music Festival Programme on our website www.westcorkmusic.ie/chambermusicfesival/programme/