KOKON (1993)

for piano solo

Since the middle ages composers have been inspired by the melody l'homme armé. Kokon fits in this tradition.

The mediaeval song l'homme armé is a war song with a very easy to remember melody. Normally it is woven in, in very harmonic way in the musical texture. You have to know what to listen for to recognize it.

In Kokon I follow this tradition with one exception: the music is war to the pianist. Very open and consonant in sound, with a fast tempo, the music strains the finger muscles and concentration of the pianist in an extravagant way.

War hurts.

Propaganda makes sure some people will get hurt. And the pianist who plays this piece is the symbol of that.