Rebonds A, by Iannis Xenakis

Performed by Ayano Kataoka
ABOUT THE PIECE:
Premiered on July 1st, 1988 in Rome by its dedicatee, Sylvio Gualda, Rebonds is an immense abstract ritual. It is a series of movements and hammerings, pure music of increased rhythms. Organized in two pieces of unequal length that can be played A then B or B then A, the work pursues the exploration of the beat as seen in Psappha and taken up again in Aïs (1980), Komboï (1981), Chant des soleils (1983), Idmen B (1985) and Okho (1989). But unlike Psappha, the work is devoid of dramatic dimension. Beat, periodicity, repetition, duplication, recurrence and imitation (accurate or otherwise) are the most obvious signs of change on a greater scale in the musician's writing. According to Makis Solomos, the beat symbolises an overall idea that is stated in three ways: order, which regulates the rhythmic universe through opposition to disorder; minimal periodicity versus aperiodicity; and discontinuity as opposed to continuity of a primary time presumed to be infinitely smooth.
ABOUT THE COMPOSER:
Iannis Xenakis (May 29, 1922 -- February 4, 2001) was an ethnic Greek, naturalized French composer, music theorist, and architect-engineer. He is commonly recognized as one of the most important post-war avant-garde composers.Xenakis pioneered the use of mathematical models such as applications of set theory, varied use of stochastic processes, game theory, etc., in music, and was also an important influence on the development of electronic music.
Among his most important works are Metastaseis (1953--4) for orchestra, which introduced independent parts for every musician of the orchestra; percussion works such as Psappha (1975) and Pléïades (1979); compositions that introduced spatialization by dispersing musicians among the audience, such as Terretektorh (1966); electronic works created using Xenakis's UPIC system; and the massive multimedia performances Xenakis called polytopes. Among the numerous theoretical writings he authored, the book Formalized Music: Thought and Mathematics in Composition (1971) is regarded as one of his most important. As an architect, Xenakis is primarily known for his early work under Le Corbusier: the Sainte Marie de La Tourette, on which the two architects collaborated, and the Philips Pavilion at Expo 58, which Xenakis designed alone.
ABOUT THE PERFORMER:
Percussionist and marimbist Ayano Kataoka is known for her brilliant and dynamic technique, as well as the unique elegance and artistry she brings to her performances. A versatile performer, she regularly presents music of diverse genres and mediums. Last season, together with cellist Yo-Yo Ma at the American Museum of Natural History, Ms. Kataoka gave a world premiere of Bruce Adolphe's Self Comes to Mind for cello and two percussionists, based on a text by neuroscientist Antonio Damasio, and featuring interactive video images of brain scans triggered by the live music performance.
A leading proponent of contemporary repertoire, Ms. Kataoka has participated in several consortiums to commission works for solo marimba or chamber ensemble from such composers as Charles Wuorinen, Martin Bresnick, Paul Lansky, and Alejandro Vinao. She is particularly drawn to compositions that involve the whole person, using standard percussion instruments and unique musical materials along with spoken voice, singing, acting, and elegant props.
A native of Japan, Ms. Kataoka began her marimba studies at age five, and percussion at fifteen. She started her performing career as a marimbist with a tour of China at the age of nine. She received her Bachelor of Music degree from the Tokyo National University of Fine Arts Music, her Masters of Music degree from the Peabody Conservatory, and her Artist Diploma from the Yale School of Music, where she studied with world-renowned marimba virtuoso Robert van Sice.
Ms. Kataoka joined the faculty of the University of Massachusetts Amherst in 2008.

[@spcsh1936]

how on earth did she memorize this?

[@appletreepear]

This composition is awesome. Love how it evolves and is interesting the entire way through; every single bar evolves, contrasts and compliments those surrounding it. Also, masterful performance; perfect dynamics and strong pronunciations suitable to the piece. Absolutely love this!! :D

[@nafisaobrien880]

The player memorised all that!!!!!! 😮😮😮😮

[@thebeatmakingbeard]

This is mesmerizing. I've watched it three times in a row now and I just can't get enough.

[@91futura]

All is perfect : interpretation , memorisation and the sounds of these instruments !

[@drumday]

I cannot imagine sight reading this, let alone memorizing it. Very effective dramatics too.

[@michaelsoza4183]

how perform then?

[@user-fl6jf4pn2o]

@@michaelsoza4183 By reading the sheet music and playing it lol

[@alexpetcu2748]

Really great performance. I think the pacing in particular is really good and the arc of the whole piece is really clear.

[@tiagomoraismorgado1253]

absolutely amazing performance

[@XmarkedSpot]

I don't particularly like _corporate_ content but this upload I'm thankful for; I wouldn't have "discovered" her else. Have a like - I already own several of your products so there's that :D

[@jasondoe2596]

IN-CRE-DI-BLE. I used to think that Xenakis' music was too "artificial" for my taste, but this performance proves me totally wrong - I'll have listen to many more of his pieces and reevaluate my opinion. Ha! Musical tastes changing thanks to a single KZbin video? This certainly doesn't happen to me everyday! And the performance - simply excellent. Interpretation, dynamics... wow. I'm sure that it would be an insanely difficult piece to perform for mere mortals, but apparently not for the skillful young lady in the video ;-) P.S. Vi Hart brought me here, and it was well-worth it! Subscribed :-)

[@antigen4]

i think the experience of going into a swimming pool esp when a bit chillier when a child tells us all we need to know about such things ... we put our feet in the water and get used to the idea for a while ... at some point we become comfortable with the idea of total immersion ... it might take seconds, minutes ... or years ...

[@philmaguire_]

There are few composers I find as rewarding to listen to as Xenakis.

[@eurisko618]

Almost hypnotic...

[@MorganHayes_Composer.Pianist]

Incredible performance...much better than the one I have on CD, which is so dry in comparison.

[@russxdrums]

Fantastic!

[@zeckul]

Too bad the audio stereo image is inverted from the video (when she hits the right drum, it sounds in the left speaker and vice-versa).

[@woodlandcritterpunch]

I mean, you COULD argue that setting it that way is representative of how it sounds from her perspective...

[@MrTombocho]

Well but then why film it in the other perspective? If that was the case it should've been filmed from her back, otherwise it doesn't make any sense.

[@JamesBeauton]

also that some of this is shot in 30fps and some in 60fps...

[@MEGAMIGA]

So much dynamics!

[@santiyezza]

If I could, I would applaud!

[@1Plus1EqualsThree]

I was waiting for her to use that wooden drum pad the whole time, but she didn't use it... lol

[@kelsbannon]

Its in Rebonds B

[@BHAKTIBROPHY]

Check out Pedro Carniero's performance of Rebonds B. I believe it's under the filmmaker's channel. His name is Stephan Aure

[@eddiegalon3714]

I know right 😒

[@benaraujomusic]

That's because they are actually used for Rebonds B

[@guidoretro]

Excelent work and performance!

[@Nuschel]

Wow...

[@smilingdrum]

That was beautiful!

[@OngoingBox]

so wonderful!

[@ik.6223]

Excellent...

[@Nuxunumo]

2:26 wooo !!

[@positronicpimp]

This is fucking amazing.

[@NOTONLYNOISE]

Capolavoro!

[@patriziabonini7077]

great ,excellent

[@antiago1983]

That big bassdrum is a thunder. I'll dream of that sound this night ahaha

[@aeoization]

Precise as a high-performance computer.

[@mrnicelynicely1]

I'd love to be able to do this -it looks like a great physical and mental workout.

[@laurisgatiszarinovs2891]

Yesss, vihart is alive!!!!!

[@alanhlozek831]

This piece is weirdly relaxing in some way...probably I find some rhythmic patterns to be rather hypnotizing...

[@mudaddy1]

Crazy chops.

[@WingsofApolloMusic]

awesome!

[@MatheusRosenthal]

Magnífico

[@slateflash]

The offbeat triplets are really cool

[@user-bn2md6dn3l]

What is the stick used in the video?(especially the one with big round head)

[@gonzameza5198]

brillante!

[@alex.viagem]

nice

[@XeniaStCharlesIrisLlyllyth]

Does anyone know what type of mallets these are? Excellent performance, by the way.

[@VicFirthCompany]

Weston Gilbert They are Vic Firth T5

[@AYNAMAOK]

Side effects of LSD ??????

vihart sent me here

[@SlyHikari03]

Reminds me of Taiko Drumming.

[@user-iz9ez2ng7e]

But I know they not that perfect like us human beings the people. Who cares tho! As long as he and she including to the other percussionist players & as musicians stays with us for a whole time more than the decades of dates in times, I think that’s it! That’s what all it matters! Yeah, of course! Oh wait! And, happy Halloween 🎃!! After thanksgiving 🙏 day! Alright then.

[@hermeticxhaote4723]

51 people who downvoted this need to make their own fucking percussion video

[@awkwardfilm]

Okuyama Masumi

[@rayl9]

wow. Japanese native represent! But really, that was amazing.

[@spotify_ERROR404]

Thank you 02:31 why sample rap 👍

[@sred6347]

Led Zeppelin based his 'Mobydick' on this?

[@michaelsoza4183]

isn't it too long ?

[@strettoasino9006]

It doesn't seem to be"Greek" too het..

[@RBGAwesome]

Why is there moleskin on the wood blocks

[@MadDrumDisease]

Rudra Gautam it rounds the front of the articulation. Wood against wood can sound harsh.

[@ArtsLaureate]

Give those mics some distance! Those drums need to breathe.

[@terenceb2826]

She def made this shit up as she was going.

[@macschomo]

Interesting, only single strokes. I hope this was improvised. Cause who learns this stuff?

[@Drumstixxxes]

The ignorance in this comment is appalling.

[@NicolasGarciaLieberman]

Jon Clancy Then again this is clearly a talking baby!

[@prsfan01]

Ok, so I get it....but it's not cool to me. As a music teacher, I hear this random form of drumming all day. I'm not hating, just doesn't connect with me. To end on a positive, great dynamics throughout!

[@RobertHughesMusic]

It's not random, if anything it's the opposite. Modernist music often has more specific performance instructions than other genres, and it can be really hard to play!

[@prsfan01]

I'm sure it is....

[@CarlosAugustoScalassaraPrando]

Justin Williamson No, it's not. ;) It's pure mathematic.

[@aeoization]

You really perceive this as "random"? As a music teacher? Now 2 years later it's time to relfect about this

[@LouisGuillotYT]

I'm glad you're not my music teacher

[@happygarlic13]

i don't hear what should be aesthetically pleasing. it's very hard to keep the beat while listening and it doesn't groove (like, make you wiggle with the beat~). and the end is weird, maybe for the performer it sounds great, but for the listener it's not musically pleasing to the ear..

[@domscaturchio7796]

i don't play an instrument but i get a hell of a lot out of Xenakkis' work

[@finosuilleabhain7781]

Let all that baggage go and you might find yourself experiencing what this is rather than missing what you expect it to be.

[@benaraujomusic]

It's certainly musically pleasing to my ear

[@mindbodylightsound10]

it's so rare to see an asian person playing a instrument that is not a piano or violin

[@Laocei]

XD you'd be surprised...

[@lucasgoudie1851]

......

[@jimsykes6843]

Population of Asia = 4.463 billion (according to Google), amount of people who play an instrument other than piano or violin = a lot

[@fortuner123]

I bet she hasn't got any friends!

[@wadeoberlin7403]

577666 I'd be her friend.

[@jmpsthrufyre]

577666 I hear at least 9

[@imranesmail23]

i dont't feel any culture. any history. i don't see the grace in her movements.. i think this is pretty plain.. and unimaginative..

[@garchauro]

obviously not, because the composition is devoid of that; Xenakis basically composed music based in logical or graphical themes--and in this case, it is exactly logical: you first have something, and then you negate it, while keeping the other aspects on the composition constant, but then you change the other dimensions, negating one dimension at a time (dimensions being smoothness, periodicity, speed, etc)

[@imranesmail23]

isee isee. that sounds cool. i'll try and listen for it.

[@karlpoppins]

Usually it's the people that don't like experimental music that present themselves as smart by branding that music as silly, unimaginative, simplistic, nonsensical, etc. Most of the people that write and enjoy listening to this sort of music are not hipsters. A very easy way to look at that is to check out the comments in this video (and other similar ones). There's a bunch of people saying how they like the music, and another bunch of them that try to to show how silly or pretentious everyone that likes this kind of music is. You'll also find the occasional snob, although they're rarer than the types like OP.

[@eddiegalon3714]

+Мариос Христодулу; haters in the comments are of the same conservative mind set as the people that go to the art museum of any given city and find only the representational "realistic" art worthy of praise. They have very narrow limited taste that's all. There will always be a percentage of the public feeling that way. It's just annoying that they can now troll video comment sections instead of keeping to themselves their shallow thoughts.

[@user-wg3zk6mq2o]

なんだこりゃ爆笑