import/export (2008)
(percussion suite for global junk)

Junk objects have been used to make music since the beginnings of music itself. Particularly in poorer countries, junk items are frequently re-used to make musical instruments.

In this piece I wanted to explore a particular quartet of Junk objects, four objects that have no nationality or clear culture; objects which are truly Global: The Oil-drum, Wooden Pallet, Plastic Bag, and Soda Bottle are Objects which travel the world, pollute the world, transport good and bad things around the world.

These objects are a central part of globalised world that we live, and their import/export movements keep our modern economy moving. In the current economic crisis, these objects are the soldiers that have carried out the capitalist domination of the planet. They are the innocent yet destructive messengers of the ever hungry free-market.

But they can also create some beautiful sounds & harmonies, and under the hands of the right percussionist can make very exciting music. And by coincidence they cover four main material types: Metal, Wood, Plastic, and Glass. Thus providing a very range of contrasting timbres.

Electronics are used sparingly in this piece; with the aim of enhancing the natural sounds produced by the Objects. Through discussions with Joby Burgess I constructed a way of notating these objects as if they were 'normal' pitched percussion instruments. And an important aspect of this work, was to create a pre-composed piece of music in the classical tradition that is 'musical' and has a sense of form, harmony & melody; not an experimental piece of conceptual sound-art.

Gabriel Prokofiev (oct 2008)