Composer

:

Iannis Xenakis

Genre

:

Chamber

Style

:

Piece

Compose Date

:

1978

Average_duration

:

43:14

Movement_count

:

4

Movement ....

Pléïades is a composition for six percussionists, composed by Iannis Xenakis in 1978. The piece was premiered on June 6, 1979, at the Paris Opera. The composition is divided into four movements, each of which is named after a star in the Pleiades star cluster. The first movement, "Alcyone," is characterized by the use of metallic percussion instruments, such as cymbals and gongs. The performers create a dense, shimmering texture that evokes the brightness of the star Alcyone. The second movement, "Mérope," features wooden percussion instruments, such as marimbas and xylophones. The performers create a rhythmic, pulsating texture that evokes the energy of the star Merope. The third movement, "Electra," is characterized by the use of skin percussion instruments, such as drums and tambourines. The performers create a complex, polyrhythmic texture that evokes the dynamic nature of the star Electra. The fourth movement, "Taygeta," features a combination of metallic, wooden, and skin percussion instruments. The performers create a virtuosic, frenzied texture that evokes the intensity of the star Taygeta. Overall, Pléïades is characterized by Xenakis's use of complex rhythms, dense textures, and virtuosic percussion writing. The piece is a landmark in the development of contemporary percussion music and has become a staple of the percussion repertoire.

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