SOLO PERCUSSION

Steven Schick playing Rogosanti at the Almeida Theatre, 1988

Rogosanti (1986) Duration: 10 minutes Written for Steven Schick First performance: August 1987, Dartington James Wood CD available (see CD-Store) '...uses indian rhythms and consciously evokes ideas of Asian rituals. After a ferocious display of wood and skin, its great turning point arrives with the sudden ring of a high-pitched metal bar. At first nothing happens, but at the next time of striking it stills the hubbub and starts a quiet reassembly of cooler, sustained sounds, finally leaving the high metallic tone in poetic isolation.' Robert Macock, The Independent, 27.4.88 '... a simple idea, stunningly realized in percussive terms...' Richard Morrison, The Times, 27.4.88

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Elanga N'Kake singing to his craft (1993) a dramatic soliloquy for solo percussionist/vocalist Duration: 15 minutes Written for Robert Van Sice First performance: July 1994, Darmstadt James Wood 'Humeur aussi Elanga N'Kake singing to his craft de James Wood, compositeur interprète dans une incroyable double performance parlée chantée et jouée au centre d'un petit instrumentarium... langage inventé, qui tient autant de l'onomatopée que d'une sorte de rap d'essence japonaise, en dialogue et connivence constante avec la palette sonore instrumentale. Quinze minutes succulentes d'une dextérité à toute épreuve, truffée de clins d'oeuil.' Michèle Friche, Le Soir, 13.3.95

programme note

Shrine of Stored Incense (1997) Duration: 10 minutes Commissioned by the 1997 International Music Competition of the ARD First Performance: September 1997, Munich programme note

The Priest of Shiga Temple (1999) for solo marimba and electronics (Jodo - Part 4) Duration: 9 minutes Commissioned by Graeme Hall programme note

Jôdo (1998-9) for solo percussion, high soprano and electronics see under Chamber