Ku-Ka-Ilimoku by Christopher Rouse is a quartet for four percussionists that brings the fury of the Hawaiian god of war to the stage. It's a little bestial, and certainly aggressive enough to wake up any dozing member of your audience.
Intended to be played without a conductor, the players will need to rely on each other and their own senses of pulse to make sure that everything stays together and retains sense. Since things get a little loud, this can present a problem if anybody is caught unaware.
Difficulty: Medium +
Duration: 5:00
From the composer: In Hawaiian mythology, Ku is perhaps the most fundamental and important of gods, occupying a place similar to that of Zeus in Greek mythology or Odin in Norse legend. Ku is manifested in several forms: as Ku-Ka-Ilimoku he represents the god of war. Thus this work for percussion ensemble is best viewed as a savage, propulsive war dance.
Hawaiian chants are often based on as few as two pitches, and Hawaiian percussion emphasizes short, repetitive patterns. Underlying this surface simplicity is a wealth of subtle rhythmic inflection and variation. Rouse incorporates this diversity to great effect, creating a tightly knit, exhilarating work. Although indigenous instruments are not employed, the timbre of their voices is evoked. The dynamic power of the Western instruments adds an intense level of ferocity to the proceedings. - Christopher Rouse
