Holistic Photosynthesis

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 +

  • Hendrik was born on 30th of march 1992 in Illorsuit - Greenland. Came to Denmark in 2001 and has since played the drums. Since the first time he observed music at age 3, he was hooked on the first note. Not only is he captured by music itself, but also fascinated by what it can describe, without words. Hendrik graduated at Holstebro MGK and has a Bachelor degree in Classical Percussion. Studied at Det Jyske Musikkonservatorium and SDMK - Danish National Academy of Music, Odense. He had the pleasure of being mentored by Søren Monrad, Johan Bridger, Anders Lynghøj and many great teachers and from fellow students to guide and inspire him. Hendrik has worked as a freelancer in symphony orchestras in Denmark, namely Aarhus - Aalborg - Sønderjylland and Det Kgl. Kapel. Hendrik has a natural talent for playing percussion and was raised in a tuneful family. Beside composing original percussion pieces, Hendrik plays in 3 bands  and works as a social pedagogue assistant.

• Credits +

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

Related publications

The Mother of The Sea

Holistic Photosynthesis (PDF)