"Khan Variations" (2001) by Alejandro Viñao
Performed by Victor LaBozzetta III
Program Note from Alejandro Viñao
"Khan Variations is a set of 8 rhythmic variations based on a traditional theme from Qawwali music ["Allah, Mohammed, Char, Yaar"] as sung by the Pakistani singer Ali Khan. In each of the 8 variations-which are played continuously-I develop different rhythmic and melodic aspects of the original theme. From the harmonic point of view the piece is rather static, to some extent respecting the lack of harmony-in the western sense-of the original theme. The player may recognise a range of influences from Conlon Nancarrow and Latin-American music to my own previous pieces for marimba. All these influences have one thing in common: the articulation of pulse or multiple simultaneous pulses to create a dramatic musical discourse."
Recorded at the Eastman School of Music on April 26, 2018