The percussion trio Sisu, veterans in the Norwegian scene for contemporary classical and new music, present works by the Norwegian composer Lene Grenager, recipient of the 2018 Arne Nordheim composer prize.

Recycle (2002)

In Recycle for solo percussion, the composer wanted to create an “elastic” rhythmic situation. She has therefore at times not defined the rhythm itself, but laid down frameworks for some “duration areas”. For example, she has decided that this should be long, this should be very long and this should be extremely short, and then it is up to the musician to interpret how long “short” or “long” is. In parts of the work, the musician can also choose between different types of mallets and dynamics. The work alternates between open parts with many choices and sections that are precisely notated.

Recycle III (2023)

Recycle III is an adaptation and reinterpretation of the solo piece Recycle, a piece where Grenager has used a combination of strict notation and graphical elements. There is potential for new interpretations in the score, and she wanted to create a version for percussion trio in which she expanded the instrumentation and concretized in notation the parts of the earlier score that had a freer graphic design. The transformation required a rhythmic decipherment of the original score’s open sections.

Wood and Metal (2018)

In Wood and Metal, Grenager has tried to create a personal imprint in a traditional score. She wanted to work with the integration of samples, graphic elements, traditional notation and text. The piece was premiered by the percussion ensemble SISU at Ultimafestivalen 2018.

The timbral world of the work was colored by the selection of already existing instruments, but even more by the construction of new instruments. Industrially manufactured percussion instruments have a polished and even tone and are predictable to play. By constructing new instruments with cheap and unconventional materials, the composer gained access to a number of different timbres that are difficult to achieve in other ways: unbalanced and cracked harmonic series, suspension rattles and screeching. In addition, the instruments are largely made from residual materials and recycled materials from construction sites, a point in itself in our consumer society.

Wood and Metal is inspired by the old Greek creation myth and particularly by the tale of the Titans: the giant sons of the earth and the heaven. As in many Greek mythological stories, this one is also full of violence, intrigues and in this case also incest, but the result of Kronos the Titan’s castration of his father Uranos (the heaven) is the creation of Aphrodite, the goddess of love, so something good enters the world.