Programme Notes / Performance Details :

Review - Terry OMahoney Percussive Arts Society (USA) In addition to being enjoyable to hear, First Transformation is also an excellent work for teaching different musical textures and tempo changes to intermediate players. First transformation was a formative work for this composer, with its success seeing him immediately established as one of the new bread of percussion composers.

Written as a tightly packed miniature, linear composition, this work aims to bring new textures and emotion to ensemble writing. The opening (a pointed comment on the disparate style of many ensemble works) sees the harmonic framework of the piece established. A driving drumming section then blends with the entrance of the tuned instruments (used in a deliberately percussive style) here the listener is asked to transform and question the difference between tuned and untuned percussion instruments. A tutti unison section then hammers the end of the opening. The following slow, pensive section sees the mellow tones of the marimba blend with bowed vibraphone; punctuations from the timpani and tam-tam add to the mood. Berlioz (or at least his faint spirit) is then quoted to mark the movement towards the works conclusion.

The final hymn (a moving marimba and vibraphone chorale) is underpinned by a recapitulation the works opening drumming section the beating heart. The two opposing forces of percussion (tuned and untuned) are brought together by a powerful timpani part (the timpani being a tuned drum) the bridge. Here the forces of percussion are united as one transformations of ideas and perceptions hopefully complete except for the works final cadence an expectation of things to come.A complete recording of this work can be found on the REVOLUTIONS CD, available from www.rhythmscape.com.au.

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