For five percussionists. This quintet for percussion demands some improvisation. Each player performs five lines from a graphically notated score according to a form given by the composer. Best played in a theatrical setting. Both instrumentation and duration are variable.
Review from Percussive Notes:
Obelisk
David Cope
“Obelisk” is a contemporary work that allows the performer to choose instrumentation, as well as improvise and select parameters for duration. The composer provides detailed instructions regarding how to choose instrumentation, form, dynamics, extra effects, and preferred staging. The score is notated as four different cells containing aleatoric notation of all five parts. The piece is played five times through with each playing having different temporal parameters.
The individual parts are not technically demanding, which allows this piece to be accessible to various levels of percussion groups. The majority of rehearsal time would initially be spent interpreting the score and making decisions as an ensemble. After that, the correct pacing of the aleatoric notation must be realized by the five performers working together.
“Obelisk” would be a great piece for any percussion ensemble (young or advanced) looking to experiment with open parameters and contemporary performance (a dark auditorium with flashlights attached to each performer). This type of work gives a certain artistic choice and freedom to the performers that is not afforded in most repertoire.
—Justin Bunting
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