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Christopher
Christopher Rouse
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Rouse
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MUSICWORKS
Please Note You can also move forwards and
backwardsthrough the slides by using the arrow
keyson your keyboard.
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Christopher Rouse
b. 1949
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Christopher Rouse born 1949
Christopher Rouse is an award-winningAmerican
composer who has scooped boththe Pulitzer Prize
and a Grammy. As a musician, he is equally
interested in both classical and popular music.
When he was Professor of Composition at the
famous Eastman School of Music he also taught a
course in the history of rock music. In addition
to his composing commitments, Rouse is nowa
Professor at the prestigious Julliard School of
Musicin New York.
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OgounBadagris
Ogoun Badagris was completed in 1976 and is
scored for Percussion Ensemble. It was inspired
by the amazing drumming techniques that originate
from the small Caribbean country of Haiti. Ogoun
Badagris is one of the most violent and
terrifying Voodoo Gods (who is only ever
satisfied with the blood of a human sacrifice).
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The music can be divided into3 clear sections
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Section 1 is a call to action the Voodoo
ceremony is about to take place. The music
sounds quite free with no strong sense of rhythm.
Rouse immediately draws you in by using all kinds
interesting percussion sounds. Listen especially
for the sound of the string drum.
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String Drum ext
- played by pulling a cloth upwards along a
string attached to an upside-down drum. You can
hear it clearly inopening section of the
music.
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Section 2 is a strong and rhythmical voodoo
dance. The music is scored in Compound Time
in a 6/8 time signature. If you have a copy of
the score, Section 2 begins at letter A.
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Compound Time
- a musical meter in whicheach beat can be
dividedinto three smaller units.
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This is the principal drumming pattern from
Section 2. It is scored in compound time. The
pattern underpins almost the entire section.
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Timpani Glissando ext
Listen out for a special effect on the timpani.
Rouse uses a playing technique called glissando
which means that the timpani has to slide from
one note to the other. The player creates this
effect by moving a foot pedal to change the
pitch.
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Timpani Glissando ext
You can see this atFigure D in the score. You
can also hear this on the MUSICWORKS CD. Select
Track 9 andfast forward to 0205.
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Cross Rhythms
- a complex musical effect created when two or
more contrastingrhythms are played
simultaneously.
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As the dance progresses, Rouse introduces cross
rhythms which begin to disrupt the steady 6/8
drumming pattern. On the score above, notice how
Rouse places 6 notes against 5. This creates an
interesting but slightly uncomfortable rhythmic
texture.
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You can see this at Figure F in the score. You
can also hear this on the MUSICWORKS CD. Select
Track 9 and fast forward to 0300.
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Section 3 depicts the actual voodoo sacrifice.
The music switches from compound time into simple
time to a 2/4 time signature. This makes the
music feel as if it has changed gear. If you
have a copy of the score, Section 3 begins at
letter H.
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At the very end of the piece, when the Voodoo
sacrifice is over, the performers shout reler,
which is the voodoo equivalent of amen.
Ogoun Badagris
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Christopher
Rouse