I envisioned this piece as a musical dialogue, represented by the cello and piano. The word “alochona” derives from Sanskrit meaning a conversation or discussion where one perceives different viewpoints. The piece begins languidly, like a morning raga, with overtones on the bass piano strings combined with the resonance of the cello’s deepest strings. Gradually waking up, the music develops into short staccato and pizzicato blips, followed by a more rhythmic section leading into a melody on the cello accompanied by triplets on the piano. The pianist’s mind wanders off into another world, side-tracked from the conversation, leading to the cellist’s frustration. Finally the two converge in a rhythmic dance featuring off-beats where each performer tries to throw the other off balance, as if disagreeing in an argument. This is interspersed throughout with a brief musical mantra in 5/4 time as if one is saying “I told you so”, trying to convince the other by repeating the same boring line to prove their point. This is then superimposed on folk-like material as the music continues to drive forward, building to an exciting climax, much like the form of an Indian raga. “Alochona” explores, in a light-hearted way, different ways of listening, conversing, interacting and communicating.
This work was commissioned by the Juno-nominated Land’s End Chamber Ensemble.
