Composer

:

Iannis Xenakis

Genre

:

Chamber

Style

:

Open Form

Compose Date

:

1971

Average_duration

:

4:22

Charisma is a composition for solo percussion and ensemble, composed by Iannis Xenakis in 1971. The piece was premiered on May 5, 1971, at the Royan Festival in France, with Sylvio Gualda as the solo percussionist and the Ensemble Intercontemporain conducted by Pierre Boulez. The composition consists of three movements, each with its own distinct character and instrumentation. The first movement, titled "Psappha," is named after the ancient Greek poet and musician who is credited with inventing the plectrum. This movement features the solo percussionist playing a variety of instruments, including a set of bongos, a bass drum, and a tam-tam. The ensemble provides a rhythmic backdrop, with the percussionist occasionally joining in to create complex polyrhythms. The second movement, titled "Rebonds," is divided into two parts, "A" and "B." In this movement, the solo percussionist plays a set of four bongos, alternating between the two parts. The ensemble provides a more atmospheric accompaniment, with sustained chords and occasional bursts of sound. The final movement, titled "Okho," is named after a type of drum used in West Africa. In this movement, the solo percussionist plays a set of three djembes, while the ensemble provides a driving, rhythmic accompaniment. Overall, Charisma is characterized by its complex rhythms, intricate textures, and use of non-traditional percussion instruments. Xenakis was known for his use of mathematical and scientific principles in his compositions, and Charisma is no exception. The piece is a challenging work for both the solo percussionist and the ensemble, requiring precision and virtuosity from all performers.

More....