This piece started with a rhythmic layer that resulted from combining two Carnatic techniques called yati phrase and jathi bhedam. This uniform grid was then subjected to a constantly evolving process of cellular aggregation, turning it into a palindromically dense stream of sound. To this perfectly symmetrical thus somewhat dull skeletal structure I applied several localized filters that distorted the regular flow of events.
Pitch-wise the piece consists of a theme I wrote with a bhasanga raga of 9 notes and its variations by means of simple degree transposition and intervallic inversion / displacement. Then, I defined some significant musical variables concerning modes of articulation, dynamics and expressive markers such as glissandi, trills and grace notes. With these in mind, I ignited certain musical processes, each with its own internal logic besides a few structural common downbeats of varying gravity, around which different constellations of musical possibilities crystallized
I have been on the look for casual, happy accidents in this initially unleashed, amorphous mass of sound. I have adorned certain moments where the accidental meetings within the chaotic polyphony of elements have coagulated into beautiful moments of synergy, which I have then amplified guided by my relatively unmediated personal impulses.
The vibraphone part has been written without such a premeditated skeleton, more as an intuitive, sometimes even whimsical reaction to the clarinet part.
The piece is dedicated to Jason Alder and Jacek Mioduszewski, who premiered it in the Sweelinkzaal of the Conservatory of Amsterdam on 8 May 2008.
Comments