TWO-TONE (2009, 2015)

In 2008, Cory Hills approached me about composing an energetic piece for his percussion competition ‘Conundrum’ and this portable multi-percussion piece was the result. Updates were made in 2015 to extend the softer sections of the piece and expand the form. Cory’s early interpretations influenced many of the updates in 2015 and Bill Solomon performed them brilliantly at the University of Minnesota. This piece is always a crowd-pleaser highlighting frenetic rhythms and dynamic sectional electronics to surprising twists and turns in a richly layered texture. Kudos to Cory and Bill for performing this work with incredible skill.

Polyrhythms were given special attention in this work for a feeling of ‘betweeness’ and endless precarity. The title comes from the primary motive of the piece which alternates between the high and low bongos as a recurring kernel including the end, but only after a long and multivalent departure.