Prelude and Mutation for for Bb clarinet, violin, cello and percussion with electronic drone

Prelude and Mutation was written for The Links at the behest of violinist Yuki Numata Resnick in 2012. The Prelude serves as a metaphor for a great world tradition: the musical style was inspired by the violin music of South India; after a virtuoso violin solo, we enter the mutation phase, which gradually adds layers of harmony-color, interruptions, fragmentation, and rhythmic counterpoint (provided by the tabla-like percussion). The mutation is a metaphor for the modern condition and corruption of a longstanding tradition. The constant drone imitates the sound of a shruti box, tambura, or other Indian-like drone device or instrumental color. The premiere took place at the Stone NYC in 2013.

15 pages (score); duration 9'

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