The Seven Golden Vampires
Arthur Jarvinen
About this work:
THE SEVEN GOLDEN VAMPIRES (1987)
The Seven Golden Vampires is an experiment in what I call "harmonic counterpoint", which is a way of developing musical materials using techniques related to the overtone series. By using methods based on acoustical phenomena I hoped to create a music harmonically rich, with its own internal logic.
In studying the harmonic series and the related phenomenon of difference tones, I was interested by the fact that under certain conditions the inner ear will manufacture and make audible pitches that are not actually being played. This brought to mind the idea that a vampire does not cast a reflection in a mirror, yet can be perceived by the human eye.
This work is in seven sections, based on earlier short keyboard pieces of mine. The title refers to "The Legend of the Seven Golden Vampires", a movie which integrates the Dracula and Kung Fu genres, both of which I am fond.
Year composed: 1987
Duration: 00:09:00
Ensemble type: Keyboard:Two Pianos, 4 or More Hands
Instrumentation: 2 Piano
Instrumentation notes: For two pianos, two players. That is, two piano players with one piano each, not two player pianos.