Fragment 98
Jay Vilnai
About this work: "Opposition brings concord. Out of discord comes the fairest harmony"(Hercalitus)
Fragment 98 explores several themes the interest me musically - mostly the combination of folk rhythms and melodies from various tradition with contemporary technique and pitch material. These two musical worlds, I find, sit very well together, inform each other, and add up to a very distinct and coherent sound.
The main driving force of the piece is an 11/8 Gankino dance rhythm that is typical in Bulgaria and other Balkan states, but later moves into more complex and asymmetrical rhythmic units. The melodic materials echoes the same transition, moving from empty fifths to octatonic scales and other musical resources. Throughout the piece, juxtaposition between the two worlds occurs in varying speeds. The solo cello, not a typical instrument in Balkan dance music, brings its own familiar sonority and history to shed further light on the musical texture.
A full copy of the score is available for perusal by contacting me.
Year composed: 2007
Duration: 00:05:00
Ensemble type: Solo instrument, non-keyboard:Cello
Instrumentation: