HIRI CHANTS

synthesized demo

A rhythmic, patternistic work from the 1980’s by Steven Paxton, HIRI CHANTS takes the players and the audience on a non-stop ride, propelled by a six-note ostinato moving through ever changing tonalities in a minimalist musical style. The title has a double reference: the Christian greeting/mantra “He is risen indeed” provides the six-note ostinato, and the celebratory textures created by overlapping rhythmic patterns and tonalities honor the inter-clan, communal festivals (sing-sings) of Papua New Guinea, where HIRI is one of four official languages.

DURATION: 5:00