excerpt :

"Malachite Glass"

for Bass clarinet & 4 percussionists (316K)

performed by :

Nigel Westlake - bass clarinet

& "Synergy Percussion" (Michael Askill, Ian Cleworth, Rebecca Lagos, Colin Piper)

about "Malachite Glass"..........

"Malachite Glass" came very quickly to me & further explores ideas found in some of my previous works for Synergy such as "Omphalo Centric Lecture". When writing for marimba I always refer to its ancient countpart, the African balofon, the music of which is frequently based on repeated rhythmic ostinati. Throughout "Malachite Glass" two of the percussionists play marimbas. The other two play a selection of traditional & modern percussion instruments & provide the driving "motor" of the piece.

The bass clarinet is treated as an equal rather than as a soloist, & burbles & shakes its way throughout, supporting the rhythmic drive & providing melodic fragments.