for marimba and electronics
performed by Catherine Meunier (studio recording)
Night Chill is a work of approximately ten minutes duration for solo marimba and electronics.  The piece is in a quasi rondo form, with a repeated section beginning and ending the work. Each section between the repeated sections explores the elements, harmonies and chord progressions presented in the repeated sections, albeit in a distilled manner. (The elements are presented in their raw, original forms in the intervening sections, whereas they are placed in a more structured context within the repeated sections.) The piece was composed in the autumn of 2003, and the title refers to the general feeling of the piece and the senses that surrounded me during its composition - the rustling of leaves, bare trees and cool nights. While no direct references are made, the piece has (to me, at least) a general sense of autumn in its textures, harmonies and rhythms.

The piece exists in two different states, metered and unmetered.  The metered sections (in 11/16) are possible to play in exact synchronisation with the electronics, however this is not necessary.  The performer should be able to hear the harmonic movement in the accompanying audio, and pace themselves accordingly.  Throughout the unmetered sections several cues are given in the score, as well as times, to keep the performer in sync with the electronics, though often synchronisation is vague, rather than exact.  The performer should (and may need to) take many performing liberties throughout the unmetered sections.  This might include repeating or omitting notes and/or figures/phrases to stay in sync with the electronics.  The marimbist should also feel free to improvise on any given materials within the given time.  For example, in measure 107 several of these figures might need to be repeated to stay in sync with the electronics.  The performer may simply repeat one or more figures, or may chose to create his/her own.  It should be noted when improvising that harmonies are crucial to the structure of this work, and should thus be considered when creating new figures.

Night Chill

Performed by Ensemble Erreur de Type 27 (erreurdetype27.com)

Interflow was composed quickly (for me), over about 3 months.  It continues my exploration of and fascination with polytonal harmonies, unsettled rhythms and exotic sounds, in particular percussion instruments, which forms the basis for much of the electronic track.  This piece features a number of gentle, even delicate phrases and gestures, somewhat unusual for me.  The title refers to a behaviour of water as two stream meet.  It describes the character of the piece well - its flowing musical sense, as well as the confluence of several different sounds and styles.

Interflow

For orchestra and electronics
Performed by The Esprit Orchestra, Alex Pauk, dir.

Streamlined

For tabla and string orchestra
Performed by Shawn Mativetsky, tabla, the Windsor Symphony Orchestra, Brian Current, dir.

Trade Winds, Concerto For Tabla

The Program Audio Series Theme (2022)

Why did you leave?

Legend of Darkness scene 8 clip

Legend of Darkness - Epilogue

Legend of Darkness - Death of Kurtz

Legend of Darkness - Marlow

Concerto for cello (piano version, highlights)

for solo violin and optional electronic accompaniment

performed by Parmela Attariwala

www.christienledroit.ca
www.parmela.com

Wandering the Threshold of Delirium is a short two-movement work for solo violin and optional electronic accompaniment.  The piece is based on two quotations melded together, one from Bach's Partita #2 for solo violin and one from R. Murray Schafer's violin concerto.  The first movement, Wandering, presents the basic materials of the work and develops them in a very free, rhapsodic setting.  This movement has a sometimes passionate, sometimes plaintive sound to it, never seeming to be able to come to rest. 

Christien Ledroit

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