Australian Music Centre | Breaking sound barriers

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CD

Duo Blockstix. : works for percussion and recorder

Library shelf no. CD 2855 [Not for loan]

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Parts

Affirmations : for bass recorder and marimba / Paul Cutlan.

Format	Title	Version	AMC Library	Price
CD	Duo Blockstix. : works for percussion and recorder 1 CD (52 min.) Published by Move Records — May, 2017 [MCD561] Library shelf no. CD 2855	Duos: Recorder, percussion	Not for loan	$22.73	Add to cart
Parts	Affirmations : for bass recorder and marimba / Paul Cutlan. 1 set of 2 performance parts (19p. -- A4 (portrait)) Published by Australian Music Centre — 2017	Duos: Recorder, percussion	Not for loan	$39.09	Add to cart
Score [ePDF]	Affirmations : for bass recorder and marimba [eScore] / Paul Cutlan. 1 digital (PDF) facsimile score (16p. -- A4 (portrait)) Published by Australian Music Centre — 2017	Duos: Recorder, percussion	Not for loan	$24.55	Add to cart
Score	Affirmations : for bass recorder and marimba / Paul Cutlan. 1 facsimile score (16p. -- A4 (portrait)) Published by Australian Music Centre — 2017 Library shelf no. 785.5612/CUT 1	Duos: Recorder, percussion	Available for loan	$33.64	Add to cart
Score	Affirmations / Paul Cutlan. 1 facsimile score (18p. -- A4 (portrait)) Published by Australian Music Centre — 2014 Library shelf no. 785.4413/CUT 1	Trios: Recorder, didjeridu, cello	Available for loan	$37.27	Add to cart

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Work Overview

The original version of Affirmations was scored for bass recorder, cello with electronic effects and didgeridoo. It was commissioned by the Aurora Festival, with my aim being to write a positive piece with strong rhythmic groove. The title Affirmations refers to the way the musical material develops: melodic and rhythmic gestures tend to reinforce the forward momentum, rather than set up conflict. At regular intervals, a chant-like melody is revealed by degrees, with the complete tune being played before the final climax. The bass recorder takes on several guises, including Irish fife, Indian flute and exotic bird! The marimba has its work cut out, maintaining a sense of the drone and rhythm which the didgeridoo originally supplied, as well as melodic passages and harmonies which were the domain of the cello.

Work Details

Year: 2014, this version: 2016

Instrumentation: Bass recorder (amplified), marimba.

Duration: 11 min.

Difficulty: Advanced — Irregular groupings within 4/4; 4 against 3

First performance: by Duo Blockstix at Duo Blockstix (Wesley Music Centre) on 15 Jun 2017

The composer notes the following styles, genres, influences, etc associated with this work:
Minimalism, Indian music, Ross Edwards, Irish folk music, Organum, Modality, Indigenous music, Improvisation, Drone.