Modulations 1, for two vibraphones and two five-octave marimbas, is an exciting work that combines metric modulation and minimalism. It contains intriguing and challenging "DJ-like" shifts in harmony and beats, which show off the ensemble skills of the performers. TorQ Percussion Quartet (Toronto, Canada) commissioned and premiered the work.
"Christos Hatzis' Modulations 1 is one of those rare works that is as rewarding for performers to serve up as it is for audiences to digest. The work is rife with technical challenges (metric modulations, cross-rhythms, extended techniques, etc.), yet these devices never overshadow the sense of drama and mood that is the core aesthetic of each of the piece's three movements. It is both minimalist and romantic, at once mathematical and yet driven by emotion. It's a true ensemble piece, requiring equal commitment and understanding of musical nuance from all four players. We're proud to have been able to commission it, delighted to offer the premiere performance and excited to have it as part of our repertoire." - TorQ Percussion Quartet
Born in Greece, educated in the United States and a Canadian citizen since 1985, composer Christos Hatzis (b.1953) is becoming widely known as a leading figure in contemporary classical music. His works are performed and broadcast throughout the world, and their frequent combination of a powerful spiritual foundation with an immediately accessible appeal has made a deep emotional impact upon audiences and performers alike.
