Iannis Xenakis - Dmaathen (Audio + Full Score)

Iannis Xenakis - Dmaathen, for oboe and percussion (1976)

Oboe - Jacqueline Leclair
Percussion - Steven Schick

Dmaathen is presented as it was originally scored for oboe and percussion. Subsequentrevisions of the piece, by the composer, restructured the oboe part for flute and for soprano saxophone. The piece is presented in two large sections. In the first, drum outbursts sit atop a soundscape of oboe multi-phonics; the second features declamatory and almost humorous
march-like passages from both instruments. These two large parts are framed with a short introduction (with slinky sax lines and tribal drum sounds) and a short coda (with a stately dialogue between the oboe and vibraphone). From there, this visceral and abstract piece quickly fades into silence.