for string orchestra and 1 percussion
duration: 8 minutes
Faber Music publishing details
Audio Excerpt:
Programme Notes
technologic 1-2 is so named as it comes from the first two movements of technologic, a work written for the Elektra String Quartet. This version has been rearranged for string orchestra with percussion.
The first movement of technologic 1-2 takes as its starting point the sound of the didjeridu. This effect requires the solo cellist to bow very heavily and forcefully across the strings, with the drone-like material gradually becoming interrupted by increasing numbers of interjections. The rest of the string orchestra acts much like a form of artificial reverberation, extending the material played first by the solo cello.
The second movement of technologic 1-2 is based on the characteristics of techno music, including an exuberant and rhythmically vibrant character. Based upon a constant percussion click-track, the string players weave intricate and interlocking patterns of material, working in sync to achieve the overall effect.
notes by Matthew Hindson.
CD Recording Available?
- This work is recorded on the disc
Matthew Hindson: String Music for Young Players
- . This disc is available free of charge by contacting the composer.
Other Information
This piece is challenging for a good high school orchestra – but certainly rewarding and students enjoy the piece and performing it.
The percussion in this piece requires two xylophones – however, the percussion part can be played on two other matched percussion instruments, such as two woodblocks or two claves. The piece has been played in its original version for string quartet with Aboriginal clapping sticks.
If there is no percussionist available, a CD recording of the percussion part is available for hire through Faber Music.
There are extensive notes on the second movement of this piece in the composers’ Ph.D. exegesis, which can be found on this site.
The second movement of technologic 1-2 was featured in the dance piece Ellipse, choreographed for the Sydney Dance Company by Graeme Murphy in 2002.