Programme Notes / Performance Details :  

Duet no. 3 was composed in 2005 for two small multiple set ups based on a drumset instrumentation to facilitate the acquisition of the required hardware.

Each player uses one S.D. and 3 drums (preferably toms) to which player I adds: a pedal B.D., triangle, W.B., T.B, C.B. and machine castanets. Player II adds: a pair of bongos, 2 susp. Cymbals and a pair of maracas (or a chocalaho).

The Duet (in Ternary form) starts off very energetically in an exciting mix of 4/4 and 9/8 measures. Two motives are stated and confronted as both players make ample use of their drums. After give-and-take process between both performers a passage in which formulas are repeated but with changing timings is heard leading to a stick change to wood where to quasi snare solos are heard.

The music comes to a sudden halt as the 2^nd section begins. Here extensive use of palm dampening and un-dampening of the drums is made creating successions of open and closed sounds and quasi glissandos between them. This section is a little slower, yet it still maintains a constant forward motion. The texture becomes thicker as the castanets and maracas begin to produce a continuous flow of sixteenth notes creating a carpet of sound for the music to progress upon.  Bit by bit parts of the original themes start to emerge bringing forth the last section , in fact an extended , virtuoso Coda, that starts out in unison and progresses on to a complex 4 voice  texture (with different statements of the same motive the same time). This leads on to a breathless stimulating boisterous finish.

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