Her Alchemy by John Psathas

Her Alchemy from Koolish Zein (2019) Ionnis (John) Psathas For solo percussion, percussion quartet, and digital audio for Michael Burritt Performed by the Eastman Percussion Ensemble Andrew Bockman Emma Gierszal Justin Lamb YoungKyoung Lee Michael Burritt - soloist Video/Audio: HumLux Media https://www.humlux.co/   / humluxmedia   Program Note: “Mu zein!” The Preacher said, waving his right hand in a cutting gesture. "This is no good!" “Koolish Zein,” Leto said, voice soft. "This is all the good we may ever have." from Frank Herbert’s Dune series Koolish Zein is an orchestra-less concerto. In place of the symphony orchestra is a percussion quartet and a track of richly layered audio. The soloist is the storyteller from start to finish, navigating an ever-changing terrain of dynamic textures and grooves. The three parts of Koolish Zein each look to evoke resonances of an imagined future. The first movement, Her Alchemy, emerges from women’s voices transformed digitally within the software Alchemy. Koolish Zein was commissioned by: Michael Burritt – Eastman School of Music (lead commissioner) James Campbell – University of Kentucky Omar Carmenates – Furman University Scott Herring – University of South Carolina Thad Anderson – University of Central Florida Eric Willie – University of North Carolina Greensboro Andrew Bliss – University of Tennessee