Apocalyptic Passacaglia on a Theme by John Cage

Martin Georgiev

General Info

Year: 2008
Duration: c.
Difficulty: (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Honeyrock
Cost: Score and Parts - $25.00   |   Score Only - $0.00

Instrumentation

Snare Drum, Video Installation

Program Notes

Review

This is a challenging work for solo snare drum and “videoscape.” It was written as a competition piece for the International Competition for Percussion Instruments (PENDIM 2009) in Plovdiv, Bulgaria. According to the publisher, the work is inspired by “the musical work of John Cage and the artist Lucio Fontana, as well as contemporary geo-political events.”

Constantly shifting time signatures create a Passacaglia with a curiously silent theme. The repetitions of this metric structure are the variations. Weaving through shifting meters and exacting timbral exploration are marked difficulties in performance. The dynamic and rhythmic energy come to an abrupt silence at the golden section, at which time the player is asked to whisper a prayer in Latin. Curiously, it is the syllabic structure of the text that makes up the “silent” Passacaglia metric structure through the work. The composer suggests this is an “‘amplification’ of a hidden quality of the theme, reflecting Cage’s original intention to compose his 4’33” piece as a Silent Prayer.” Set to a click track, a series of flashing images creates the accompanying “videoscape.” The composer suggests a verbal warning for the audience, as the images convey violent or disturbing images.

It is encouraging to see the work of a young composer who is paying attention to global socio-political issues. The work would make a thought provoking addition to any collegiate or professional recital.

—John Lane, Percussive Notes

Recent Performances

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Works for Percussion by this Composer

Apocalyptic Passacaglia on a Theme by John Cage - Snare Drum, Video Installation
Concert Paraphrase on Themes by Dobri Hristov - Percussion Sextet
Doxologies of Bells and Candlelight - Marimba, Percussion Ensemble, Bulgarian Traditional Women's Choir
Icon Amongst the Waves - Landscape with the Varna Lighthouse - Marimba
Oppositions - Percussion Sextet
Percussion Concerto No.1 (Georgiev) - Mallets (Marimba, Vibraphone), Orchestra
Percussion Concerto No.2 - Light - Multiple Percussion, Orchestra
Percussion Concerto No.2 - Light (Chamber Version) - Multiple Percussion, Chamber Ensemble
Percussion Concerto No.3 - Genesis - Marimba, Orchestra
Percussion Concerto No.3 - Genesis (Piano Version) - Marimba, Piano
Rhapsody for Two Flutes and Vibraphone - Vibraphone, 2 Flutes
Scherzino in Bulgarian Spirit - Percussion Sextet
Scherzo (Georgiev) - Vibraphone, Flute
Still Life: Clock and Icon - Xylophone, Piano
Varna Triptych - Marimba, Organ
Vision - Vibraphone, Flute, Piano