creation : 15.03.2018 at Théâtre de Hautepierre, Strasbourg (France)
duration : 10′
musicians : 4 percussionists
This piece for four percussionists deals with variations of four altered states of consciousness.
“For each part of the piece, I chose a specific altered state of consciousness and looked for a rhythm that could evoke it. By ‘altered state of consciousness’ I mean a state of consciousness that differs significantly from the usual or normal state. It can occur during meditations, trance, hypnosis or dreams, … it can be spontaneous or provoked by particular events – such as the birth of a child – or by specific movements or a musical motive.
In some religious ceremonies, specific rhythmic cells are used to achieve this type of state of consciousness. The origin of certain percussion instruments such as drums, shakers, bells and gongs is linked to rituals in which these instruments play an important role in changing our state of mind. This aspect of percussion instruments inspired the writing of this piece in which repetitive and hypnotic rhythms are interspersed with constantly evolving rhythms. »
Nikolet Burzyńska