African Suite
for violoncello and percussion
year of composition
2010
duration
ca 9'
text
In the original version of AFRICAN SUITE (1992), two instruments, violin and percussion, which are characteristic of two completely different cultures, are confronted with each other.
In 2007, this work was rewritten for soprano saxophone and percussion, and in 2010 for cello and percussion.
In 2022, Wim Henderickx made a version for piccolo and percussion (especially for a recording by the Solar Duo, CD release 2023).
This creates a blend of Western melody and African rhythm.
The use of a rhythmic ostinato pattern with varying time signatures and the placement of irregular rhythmic accents within a constant metre give this work a very stirring character. The virtuoso violin part further reinforces this impression.
instrumentation
Percussion, Violoncello
first performance date
11.02.2011
first performance place
Flagey, Brussels, Belgium
first performance by
Kirsten Andersen (violoncello) and Gert François (percussion)
ismn number
9790065138497