Take the Six for marimba and electronics
Moto Osada
About this work:
Composed during the summer of 2003, Take the Six for marimba and electronics is the result of a longstanding collaboration between marimba player Mayumi Sekizawa and composer Moto Osada. Written for solo marimba and electronics (CD playback), the work draws its inspiration directly from Ms. Sekizawa who suggested that the music not sound like a “typical” contemporary music work, include some audible rock/pop influence, and reflect a “New York City” theme. In the words of Osada: “Ms. Sekizawa’s ideas were perfectly in sync with how I envisioned the piece; the commission came at a time when I was seeking ways to compose without resorting to the clichés of late twentieth century styles… having grown up an avid rock fan this seemed the perfect opportunity to incorporate sounds from such great musicians as Jimi Hendrix and Prince.”
It wasn’t until the piece was completed however that the work took on its “New York City” element. As is the case with most of his compositions, Mr. Osada names his works after they are written. “Take the Six” thus emerged over dinner with friends one evening as they all stuck their heads together to find an appropriate title for the work, one with a distinct New York flavor. (The #6 train services the East side of New York City, which is the train Mr. Osada travels on most often.)
In creating the electronics part, Mr. Osada relied extensively on a MIDI effect called arpeggiator, a common device in pop electronic music since the late 70’s. It can be set up so that the computer plays back random permutations of prescribed notes. The seemingly simple and repetitive rhythmic patterns in the piece were constructed by using multiple arpeggiators simultaneously. Although they are all based on a simple pulsating 16th-note rhythm, no single measure is repeated throughout the work. Mr. Osada explains: “I wanted to create an “inhuman” quality to the electronics’ part, a computer-age perfection and complexity that ultimately inspired the equally-demanding marimba part.” The resulting effect is one of conflict and struggle – the marimba part pitted against the electronics part – representing humans’ fight in keeping up with ever-evolving technology.
Year composed: 2003
Duration: 00:11:42
Ensemble type: Electronic Instruments and Sound Sources:Prerecorded Sound and Live Instrument(s)
Instrumentation: 1 Marimba, 1 Prerecorded Sound (Tape/CD/Other)
Instrumentation notes: Composed for the 5-octave marimba.