Relatives Riffs, by Alejandro Viñao

Relatives Riffs, by Alejandro Viñao
Performed by : MITT3N Percussion

About the piece:
A rock or jazz riff is supposed to be a short melodic/rhythmic phrase that repeats unchanged, becoming more powerful with each repetition. By contrast, I have treated the riffs in this work as themes that develop and transform in time. This approach may seem to undermine the very nature of a riff. Yet, I was interested in exploring the possibility of retaining the dance-like power of the riff, while subjecting it to processes that follow paths quite different from that of popular music. In this way, the function of the riff in this composition is no longer fixed as it is in a rock song, but becomes 'relative' to the changing context as the music unfolds.

Movement 1 - “The Riff Within”
The 1st movement is based on a riff I composed which is loosely based on a rock guitar riff from the 70s. Initially the riff is presented in its blunt upfront form. Gradually, it is subjected to a series of complex rhythmic processes of transformation where the actual riff is no longer heard at the forefront but featured and heard 'within' the multi-layered texture of the music.

Movement 2 - “Bells of Time”
I lived for many years close to a church. During a sleepless night I would hear its beautiful bells chiming every hour in the dead of night. This movement is influenced by my recollection of the atmosphere created by that sound. The phrases and harmonies owe a debt to the music of Debussy and Ravel, specially to the latter's piano works.

Movement 3 - “Tristano Toccata”
This movement is based on a riff by Lennie Tristano. It pays homage to this innovative and influential jazz musician whom history has neglected to some extent. Tristano's riff is longer and melodically and harmonically more complex than a typical rock riff. For that reason I have chosen to repeat it more or less consistently throughout the movement. In this way, at any give moment the listener may latch on to it while other new complex phrases are being introduced. The music is less about 'what' happens to the riff than about what happens 'with' the riff at any point in time. The term 'toccata' in the title refers to the fast-moving rhythmic figures that feature in the many virtuosic passages that require a dexterous 'touch'.

Alejandro Viñao

About the group:
MITT3N Percussion was founded in 2018, and is dedicated to expanding the audience of contemporary percussion music. The trio specializes in a variety of styles, ranging from ambient music to fresh takes on classic repertoire. MITT3N is committed to enriching the musical landscape through community outreach, education of young musicians, and audience interaction.

Recent performances include the Music Connects series at the Johns Hopkins Medical Institute, a residency at York College of Pennsylvania, the Young Artist Series at El Paso Pro Musica, and numerous concerts throughout the U.S. Members Brendan Betyn, Mark DeMull, and Ben Mapes have performed in Carnegie Hall, at the Percussive Arts Society International Convention, at the Aspen and Chautauqua Music Festivals, and with numerous orchestras in the Midwest and along the East Coast.

Though MITT3N was formed in 2018, its members have been performing together for nearly a decade. Born and raised in Michigan, they met as students at Michigan State University and years later, their paths converged as doctoral candidates at the Peabody Conservatory in Baltimore. Under the tutelage of renowned professor Robert van Sice, MITT3N honed their skills and discovered their artistic vision.

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MALLETS:
Movement 1
High marimba: M123 - M124 - M124 - M125
Low marimba: M122 - M123 - M123 - M125
Vibraphone: M31
Xylophone: M132

Movement 2
High marimba: M123 - M124 - M124 - M125
Low marimba: M121 - M123 - M123 - M125
Vibraphone: M31
Bells/crotales: M141 and M135

Movement 3
High marimba: M153 - M154 - M154 - M155
Low marimba: M112 - M113 - M113 - M114

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