Sarakiniko III
Year 2022 • Instrumentation piano • Length ∞
Sarakiniko is a multi-movement suite for solo piano composed between 2016 and 2022. Sarakiniko I (Presto Agitato) and II (Adagio Rubato) are precisely notated, in the tradition of “Western” Classical music. The score for Sarakiniko III (Freely, ECSTATICALLY), presented here, is presented as a series of simple, repeating gestures, to be freely interpreted by the performer.
The same pitches are played by both hands, which sit above one another on the keyboard. One hand slightly phases the pattern at the performer’s discretion, creating shifting, interlocking rhythms. The piano’s resonance is tuned by “trapping open” harmonically related, unused keys by way of the sostenuto pedal.
Note on video: An excerpt of a screen record from Calarts’ live stream. A/V cleanup by TT.
More info below
The progression of the Sarakiniko movements can be mapped upon my mid-career move into academia. The challenge to make beautiful, precisely-notated solos in the mold of my favorite piano composers (Scriabin, Ligeti, Shostakovich, Beethoven, Takemitsu, Brahms) gave way to the challenge of composing open ended pieces that allow the performer to enter a flow state, and not be bogged down by scores.
Brilliant polymath, (and former spouse), Lyra Hill wrote haikus for each movement inspired by our time on the Greek island of Milos, where one can find the out-of-sight beach called Sarakiniko.
01 Presto Agitato
hollow cauldrom booms
sea is leaping from beneath
sticky mist surrounds
02 Adagio Rubato
willingly lifting
body lighter, wind blowing
stones begin glowing
03 FREELY, ECSTATICALLY
shimmering footprints
crisscrossing crisp shadows cast
by the supermoon
-by Lyra Hill
Recital poster by T Thurston
hollow cauldrom booms
sea is leaping from beneath
sticky mist surrounds
02 Adagio Rubato
willingly lifting
body lighter, wind blowing
stones begin glowing
03 FREELY, ECSTATICALLY
shimmering footprints
crisscrossing crisp shadows cast
by the supermoon
-by Lyra Hill