Holistic Photosynthesis (PDF)

Item details

• Description +

  • I composed this piece one summer afternoon after looking out the window. I saw green leaves glowing with sunlight passing through them and began thinking about photosynthesis. Around the same time, I had a conversation with Tanel, who expressed a desire for a competition piece—something where both hands and all four mallets could operate independently, yet still work together to create harmony.
    
    The piece is titled “Holistic Photosynthesis” and explores the theme of photosynthesis and its intricate impact. I’ve created a musical narrative that mirrors this natural process. In it, the chloroplasts represent the essential building blocks of life, while bacteria attempt to break them down. This conflict serves as a metaphor for the struggles we humans face—especially in these harsh times marked by war and senseless slaughter across our planet. The piece becomes not only a reflection on nature but also a commentary on the fragile state of our world.
    
    Tanel is also developing a new technique called the “Holistic Method,” which is central to this composition. This extended four-mallet marimba technique allows each hand to function independently. It enables me to compose music where each mallet can express its own melodic line. The various voices—melody, bass, and tenor—move independently yet remain in harmony, creating a rich and layered musical experience.
    
    Photosynthesis itself is a process where light energy is transformed into chemical energy. Elements like light, water, and carbon dioxide each play a unique role. Chlorophyll captures light, water is split, and carbon dioxide is converted into sugar. Each part works autonomously yet contributes to a greater whole, resulting in vital energy for the plant.
    
    Similarly, in marimba performance, each mallet lives its own life, yet together they form a unified sound. Photosynthesis and marimba performance both demonstrate how individual elements can work independently while creating something far more complex and meaningful—a musical narrative in one case, and life-sustaining energy in the other.
    
    HH DriX

• Instrumentation +

  • Marimba (5.0 Octave)

• Watch+

• About the composer +

  • Hendrix was born on March 30, 1992 in Illorsuit, Greenland, and moved to Denmark in 2001. He has played the drums since early childhood, and from the very first encounter with music he was captivated not only by sound itself, but by music’s ability to communicate and describe without words.
    
    Hendrix graduated from Holstebro MGK and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Classical Percussion. He studied at The Royal Danish Academy of Music in Aarhus and at SDMK – the Danish National Academy of Music in Odense. During his studies, he was mentored by Søren Monrad, Johan Bridger, Anders Lynghøj, among others, and was deeply inspired by both teachers and fellow students.
    
    As a performer, Hendrix has worked as a freelance percussionist with symphony orchestras across Denmark, including engagements in Aarhus, Aalborg, Sønderjylland and at Det Kongelige Kapel. Alongside his work as a performer, he is an active composer with a strong focus on original solo and chamber works for percussion. He is also involved in several bands and cross-genre projects.

• Credits +

  • Artwork: Jazz
    Front Cover Graphics: Nicola Lee
    Photo: Kim Frost
    Printed in Copenhagen, Denmark
    Copyright © Edition SVITZER
    www.editionsvitzer.com

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