Creation: 5 December 1963, Geneva, SW
The work “Alternances”, composed in 1961-62 for the Percussions de Strasbourg, consists of nine musical “events”, five of which are calm in nature, while the other four are somewhat unsettling. Differences of timbre also distinguish these nine basic elements, sometimes with groups focusing on “skins” (timbales), keyboards (celesta, vibraphone) or “”metals”” (cymbals, triangles, bells, rattlesnakes, etc.). Some of these “events” are of a definite form, while others take on several aspects. Their order of succession is left to the free will of the interpreters, with however the obligation to maintain throughout the work the principle of alternation between the two main categories. The result is an airy discourse of very great sonic mobility which leaves an important part of initiative to the interpreters. The percussion thus acquires a fully convincing expressive capability, in addition to its strictly fascinating sound effects.
Makoto Shinohara, born in Osaka in 1931, belongs to this new Japanese school that quickly assimilated the most revolutionary concepts of Western music without denying its oldest national traditions. After attending the University of Arts in Tokyo, he worked with Messiaen in Paris, then with Stockhausen and Koenig in Cologne. His works show a strong taste for fantastic sounds, a perfect knowledge of electroacoustic techniques, some interest in “random” processes, and at the same time, a very personal temperament.”