γῆ

Instrumentation:

Percussion

Electronics (fixed media)

Duration: 6’32”

Commissioned by: Virva Kuusi

Year:2017

The telluric expressiveness and sonority of this work relate to the meaning of the title: γῆ (/ɡɛ̂ː/) translated from ancient Greek as “earth”, “land”, “soil”. Apart from its poetical implications, the title also alludes to a radical exploration of very basic musical elements: the perception of the “beat” or the concept of “cycles/repetition”. Elements which are interpreted in various ways throughout the piece and they constitute the basis of this work. 

The percussionist and the fixed media complement each other with a vibrantly electronic character. The set-up is predominantly formed by metal instruments (trash cymbals, metal planks, gongs…), searching for an analogue timbre between the acoustic domain and the purely electronic sound.

γῆ is a dark electronic ritual: summoning, trance, ecstasy and fall. Reflecting this ritual, the expressive spectrum of the piece becomes extreme: from a quiet, meditative simplicity to the most intricate virtuosity.

…and after the ritual we all must return to our essence, our silence, our skin…

This work was written for and dedicated to Virva Kuusi.