Suite I. Prelude Reimagined
Instrumentation:
Body percussion solo
Duration: 6’
World Premiere: November 24 2021 (Melbourne, Australia)
Video coming soon!
Originally written for cello, but also commonly played on marimba in modern renditions, Bach’s Prélude in G Major is known for its harmonic artistry and dulcet melodies. To play this pitch-oriented piece using only percussion sounds, is to take the essence of the piece entirely out of its original context. The timeless dualism of melody and rhythm - a rivalry and partnership for the ages - is therefore the feature of this groove-based reimagining. Each note of the original melody is assigned to a body percussion sound, corresponding to pitch (both visually and sonically). Actions that produce high pitches have been assigned to higher notes, actions that are visually or sonically low have been assigned to lower notes, and so on. From this translation to body percussion, Bach’s harmonic progression has been injected with rhythmic variation and groove such that his original melody is obscured beyond recognition.
Program notes: