Glittering Gamelan

Additional Information

 (2014) duet (optional prepared piano), 3 mins 

Inspired by Indonesian gamelan balaganjur.

Composed for Thorson & Thurber.

 

A short duet composed as an encore for Danish/British duo Ingryd Thorson and Julian Thurber for a concert in the 2014 Samsø Piano Festival, Denmark, which

included three other duets in this collection. It was inspired by a particular type of gamelan music from Indonesia - "Gamelan Balaganjur" - which translates as "Gamelan

of Walking Warriors". This style of music has its historical origins in military music - music used in battle. These days it is performed in Indonesia in competitions by

large bands of dancing musicians, with pitched and unpitched percussion. Their music is incredibly elaborate, and has very little repetition. It involves constantly

changing speeds with layers of complex rhythmic gestures that require very impressive ensemble skill. This duet is quite noisy, especially if you use the optional piano preparations.