"Attraction" by Emmanuel Séjourné, arranged by Gordon Hamilton, performed by the WDR Funkhausorchester and the percussion quartet Repercussion conducted by Gordon Hamilton in the concert "Classical Music with a Difference: Climate & Change" from the WDR youth concert series "WDR@Philharmonie". A recording from Sept. 23, 2021 from the Kölner Philharmonie.
Repercussion, Percussion
WDR Radio House Orchestra
Gordon Hamilton, Conductor
Daniel Henrici, Visual Artist
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Emmanuel Séjourné initially began his career as a musician after studying music in 1984. As an excellent percussionist who specializes in the baton instruments marimba and
vibraphone, he quickly gained a great reputation. In his collaborations with international orchestras and musicians, he demonstrates the diversity of contemporary percussion music.
In time, Séjourné shifted the focus of his work primarily to composing. He composes for a wide variety of settings and occasions: for orchestras, chamber ensembles, soloists
and soloists, for ballets and film music, for radio stations and television stations such as ARD and Arte. What is special about his works is the combination of improvisation, contemporary classical
classical music and popular music forms. As a result, percussion music is experiencing a heyday and shows how exciting and modern it is.
That he likes to be inspired by foreign musical cultures can be heard in his work Attraction for violin, marimba and electronic playback tape. He got the idea for the composition from the ensemble Shakti, which influenced his youth. In the 1970s, the four musicians combined
jazz with European and Indian music. This helped them to achieve worldwide recognition. The rhythm and virtuosity of Shakti moved Séjourné to juxtapose rhythm and timbre in Attraction. It's as if the two components are fighting with each other to find out who has the upper hand.