Jigu (击鼓)
2022
for brass quintet, percussion, and electronics
written for Limestone Brass Quintet
Duration: 6 min.
Premiere: Limestone Brass Quintet, Cameron Henry (percussion), Daixuan Ai (conductor & fixed media);
Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, 18 Nov 2022
Program Notes
Jigu (击鼓), a term that means “hitting the drum” in Chinese, is a piece inspired by the various styles of Chinese drumming. I am always fascinated and moved by the energy and drive which a Chinese percussion ensemble imparts with their spontaneous, collaborative, and sophisticated performance. I vividly remember going to events like the Chinese New Year celebration, being enthralled by the endless waves of rhythms and immersed in the festive spirit. When I realized that the concept and energy of Chinese drumming has similar musical elements and social function to a western fanfare, I wanted to merge these two musical genres into one and create a new sort of fanfare that exists between the two worlds.
— Daixuan Ai
