Pattern Transformation

Lukas Ligeti

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General Info

Year: 1988
Duration: c. 4:55
Difficulty: (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Unknown
Cost: Score and Parts - Unknown

Instrumentation

Marimba (2; four players)

Errata

None discovered thus far.

Program Notes

Pattern Transformation is one of the first pieces I ever composed, and is certainly the first in which I began to find a voice of my own. Inspired by the metric structure of Baganda court music, from a region today situated in Uganda, I set out developing new forms of interplay between musicians in an ensemble. Based on a fast fundamental pulse, different musicians feel the “beat” at different moments, and this relative notion of meter opens the door to endless polyrhythmic possibilities, giving the music a three-dimensional quality, akin to looking at a sculpture from different sides.

When I initially wrote Pattern Transformation, I believed it to be impossible to play: it is no coincidence that the piece was championed by the Amadinda Percussion Group, an ensemble from Hungary that named itself after the amadinda xylophone, one of the principal instruments of Baganda music, and has mastered the rhythmic techniques of this tradition, For me, this piece was the beginning of a path of exploration of polymetrics which continues to this day and has become one of my main areas of interest as a composer.

- Program Note by composer

Commercial Discography

Audio CD: Amadinda Percussion Group – 2004

State Ratings

None discovered thus far.

Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project

University of Houston (Texas) Moores School of Music Wind Ensemble (David Bertman, conductor) - 11 February 2016 (2016 TMEA Conference, San Antonio)
Amadinda Percussion Group – 2010

Works for Winds by This Composer

Pattern Transformation (1988)

Resources

Ligeti, L. (1988). Pattern Transformation: for 4 Players & Two Marimbas [score]. L. Ligeti: [s.l.]