Krzeminski's Star

Matthew Briggs

General Info

Year: 2015
Duration: c. 9:30
Difficulty: (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Manuscript
Cost: Score and Parts - On Website - Free/Donate

Instrumentation

Multiple Percussion: Marimba, Low Tom-tom, Suspended Cymbal

Violin
Electronics

Program Notes

“Centaurus X-3 (4U 1118-60) is an X-ray pulsar with a period of 4.84 seconds. It was the first X-ray pulsar to be discovered, and the third X-ray source to be discovered in the constellation Centaurus. The system consists of a neutron star orbiting a massive, O-type supergiant star dubbed Krzeminski’s star after its discoverer. Matter is being accreted from the star onto the neutron star, resulting in X-rayemission.” (Wikipedia)

The idea that a gigantic star can exist out there, otherwise invisible to us except for a regular burst of X-ray radiation ever 4.84 seconds, is truly spectacular. Krzeminski's Star attempts to characterize the sense of wonder and mystery of being such a small creature in such a large universe.

The piece has three internal movements in the form slow-fast-slow. There is no silence between movements as the electronics make a sonic transition from one to the next.The first movement sets up the mysterious mood. In the electronics a wave of sound pulses every 4.84 seconds. Some NASA transmissions (from STS-31) are used to complete the space theme. The second movement retains a mysterious character but becomes a bit more playful with rhythmic hemiolas and unison melodic lines. The third movement returns to the character of the first as we again ponder the deep.

Recent Performances

To submit a performance please join the TEK Percussion Database

Works for Percussion by this Composer

Freight Train - Percussion Nonet
Krzeminski's Star - Multiple Percussion; Violin; Electronics
Marimba Quartet (Briggs) - Marimba Quartet
Simon Says - Marimba