Fast Radio Bursts

Item details

• Description +

  • Contact Edition Svitzer on mail@editionsvitzer.com to obtain accompaniment track
    Duration: approx. 4 min.
    
    Preface
    
    A Fast Radio Burst (FRB) is a radio-astronomical phenomenon of yet unknown origin. In some high-energy astrophysical process, a transient radio pulse lasting between a fraction of a millisecond up to three seconds emerges, releasing as much energy in a millisecond as the sun puts out in three days. Several FRBs have been recorded including some repeating in seemingly irregular ways, some as singular events. So far, only FRB 180916 has been detected pulsing every 16.35 days, while FRB 20191221A was the first observed signal that was periodic itself, forming a train of consecutive peaks seperated by remarkably precise intervals of 0.2 seconds. It is indicated that FRBs are emmited from a source with an extremely powerful magnetic field, most of those extragalactic. Theories about their origin range from rapidly rotating neutron stars, magnetars, black holes and compact-object mergers to extraterrestrial intelligence.

• Instrumentation +

  • Snare Drum and Tape

• Watch+

  • Performed by Maximilian Wolfgang Schwarz
    
    

• About the composer +

  • Maximilian Wolfgang Schwarz (*1997 in Vienna) is one of the most versatile percussionists of his generation. The multi-award-winning multi-percussionist and drummer has been performing on major international stages for many years, either as a soloist or as a guest with renowned ensembles such as Elbtonal Percussion or the CBPercussion Group at spectacular festivals and projects. In addition to selected works of contemporary classical music, his constantly growing solo repertoire primarily includes his own compositions. Max Schwarz cultivates a hybrid compositional style consisting of classical compositional approaches from different eras and cultures, his own serial concepts and electronic production. His avant-garde pieces are published by Edition Svitzer (Copenhagen); he also regularly produces for television, film and theatre.
    
    As part of the jury of the ‘Stellar Composition Competition’ (2nd prize for Constellations I), percussion luminary Dame Evelyn Glennie praised the piece with the following words: ‘It's the best piece I have ever come across that explores sound effects on the marimba in a really musical way. It is the essence of the piece rather than an ‘addition’. Maximilian is absolutely superb and the video work is really well done.’
    
    As a drummer, he fuses driving grooves, elements from world music and complex polyrhythms with live electronics. With this characteristic style, he is part of the world music/electronica trio maTrigal. Max Schwarz is currently studying classical percussion with Prof. Alexej Gerassimez at the University of Music and Performing Arts Munich in the postgraduate programme ‘Excellence in Performance’. In 2023/2024 he toured Germany, Austria, Italy, France and Spain.

• Reviews +

  • Review (Percussive Notes, June 2024)
    
    The title of “Fast Radio Bursts – A Polyrudimetrical Etude” references an astrophysics concept referring to a strong, sudden burst of electromagnetic radiation. This is reflected in the music through the playback’s spacious timbres and the fast, technical, quasi-improvisatory snare drum part. Lasting just over four minutes, the piece travels through nine brief sections identified by varying polyrhythmic material, beating implements, and musical styles.
    
    The rhythmic material makes up a bulk of the work’s difficulty, with constant changes in meter and “tuplets,” all lining up with the backing track. Additional challenge lies in the notation: There are myriad beating implements, sounds, and techniques required of the performer, and thus the sheet music utilizes many different noteheads and directional notation symbols. The part is completely idiomatic, flows well, and feels good to play, but it will take the performer some time to become comfortable with the notation and various implement techniques.
    
    Overall, “Fast Radio Bursts” is an exciting and unique new work for snare drum, further expanding the ever-growing repertoire for percussion and electronics. Maximilian Schwarz achieves a nice variety of sounds and styles on a single snare drum, creating a work as challenging as it is fun to play.
    
    —Marco Schirripa

• Credits +

  • Front Cover graphics and layout: Ming Xi Yang
    Photo: Reiner Nicklas
    Printed in Copenhagen, Denmark
    Copyright © Edition SVITZER
    www.editionsvitzer.com

Related publications

Constellations I

Tricolon C

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Fast Radio Bursts (Single)

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