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Chronaxie

Serge Arcuri

Programme notes

The subtitle to Chronaxie is a quotation from Marie Uguay: “This desert fierceness of colours.” This piece uses timbres and envelopes that, although for the most part synthetic, closely resemble those of the percussions. Built on a single rhythmical unit, the work starts with the very long resonances of metallic instruments such as tam tams and goes on to the shorter sounds of the skins and the woods. The score, at times precisely annotated, often allows great freedom to the soloist.

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Chronaxie was realized in 1984 at the Université de Montréal’s studio, primarily using the Jupiter 8 synthesizer and manipulated sound samples. It was premiered on May 10, 1984 at the Université de Montréal. This piece was commissioned by percussionist Manon Descôteaux, and produced with support from the Canada Council for the Arts (CCA). The piece received a mention at the Bourges International Electroacoustic Music Competition (France) in 1987. Chronaxie was recorded by Beverly Johnston for the Impactcompact disc on the Centrediscs label (CMC 2786D).

Premiere

  • May 10, 1984, Manon Descôteaux, percussion • Concert, Faculté de musique — Université de Montréal, Montréal (Québec)

Awards

About this sound recording

This version was recorded at Pizazzudio studio in Toronto on December 12, 1992 and mixed December 13 to 15, 1992 (sound recording: Konrad Skreta; engineer: Michael Jack).

  • Composer(s): Serge Arcuri
  • Year of composition: 1984
  • Duration: 12:05
  • Instrumentation: percussion and stereo fixed medium
  • Publisher(s): Ymx média
  • Commission: Manon Descôteaux, with support from the CCA
  • ISRC: CAD509310600