Located in the UK
Located in the USA
Located in Europe
- John Luther Adams
Qilyaun (solo version) (1998)
- Taiga Press (BMI) (World)
- bass drum with digital delay
- four bass drums
- 15 min
Programme Note
"Qilyaun" is the Iñupiaq word for the shaman's drum. Translated literally, it means "device of power". The drum is the shaman's vehicle for spirit journeys. The shaman rides the sound of the drum to and from the spirit world.
Qilyaun (1998) may be performed by four drummers each playing a bass drum, or by a single drummer with electronic delay.
Commissioned by the Fairbanks Symphony Association, the piece is dedicated to Scott Deal, who gave its first performances. Qilyaun traverses a continuum of rhythm. From the rapid-fire streams of the opening, the dummers gradually decelerate to sustained rolls in the middle and then gradually accelerate again to the unison ending.
John Luther Adams
Qilyaun (1998) may be performed by four drummers each playing a bass drum, or by a single drummer with electronic delay.
Commissioned by the Fairbanks Symphony Association, the piece is dedicated to Scott Deal, who gave its first performances. Qilyaun traverses a continuum of rhythm. From the rapid-fire streams of the opening, the dummers gradually decelerate to sustained rolls in the middle and then gradually accelerate again to the unison ending.
John Luther Adams