Very proud to announce I have won the first prize in the Amsterdam Marimba Weekend composition contest with my work “Tectonic Transformations” for marimba and organ. The composition has been premiered on March 17 in Orgelpark Amsterdam.
TECTONIC TRANSFORMATIONS
Some time ago, when I started brainstorming about this piece, I heard a very skilled percussionist refer to the marimba as “the organ of the earth”. This analogy created a vivid image in my mind of the marimba’s sound resonating throughout the earth’s surface, while the pipe organ seeks for the sky. The idea of verticality behind it created a framework for Tectonic Transformations.
In my compositions, I often conceptualize organic and geomorfic structures and in this case, the erratic trills and tremolos that form the main motive of the piece represent the friction and movement that occurs within the earth’s crust, creating a sense of trembling and instability. My fascination for landscapes, places and natural phenomena drives me to create sound ‘environments’ where it’s either safe, harsh, pleasant, colourful, busy, calm… Tectonic Transformations reflects this fascination and aims to transport listeners to a place of wonder and imagination.