Pulse Magnet (2001)

for two pianos and two percussion

list of percussion required:

  • Percussion 1: Brake Drum, Orchestral Bass Drum, Vibraphone with motor, 5 Temple Blocks, 2 Gongs, 2 Congas, 2 Bongos, Tam-Tam, Glockenspiel, 3 Suspended Cymbals, Whistle, Large Siren.
  • Percussion 2: Brake Drum, Orchestral Bass Drum, Glockenspiel (all shared with Perc. 1), Giant Woodblock or Temple Block, Chicken Shaker, Drum Kit comprising: S. Dr., B. Dr., Toms, Hi-Hat, Large Crash, Medium Crash, Ride, Splash, 3 Temple Blocks, 2 Cowbells, Tambourine

duration: 16 minutes

Faber Music publishing details


Audio Excerpt:
Excerpt, first 2 minutes of first movt


Programme Notes

Pulse Magnet has been described as a rhythmic exploration of attraction and repulsion, exploring the vibrancy of sonic interaction between piano and percussion. It is a work in three movements, following a fast-slow-fast structure.

This piece is scored for two pianos and two percussionists, and was written for the Australian Virtuosi in 2001. The huge battalion of percussion used in this work provide access to a wealth of tone colour possibilities, but Hindson has also explored a number of ways in which a pair of pianos can be used.

Pulse Magnet was initially conceived with the idea of a ‘super-piano’ in mind, that is, with both piano parts acting to do things that a single piano was not capable of doing. Hence the two piano parts are frequently antiphonal and canonic, and create chords of great density and complexity, stretching the ability of all four hands.

adapted from a note by Kim Waldock.


CD Recording Available?

    Not at present.

Other Information

Pulse Magnet is one of the pieces featured in Hands On Hindson, an educational resource produced by Musica Viva Australia.

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