Iannis Xenakis - Khoaï (Audio + Score)

Iannis Xenakis - Khoaï, for solo harpsichord (1976)

Performed by Elisabeth Chojnacka

Khoaï was written in one of Xenakis's most prolific periods, not only as a composer, as he composed four chamber works only in 1976, but also as a lecturer, as he traveled around the world and was present in many performances. The title refers to "offerings of wine or water poured into the ground; libations and vows to the Chthonians (infernal Gods)". It was written in a period where the harpsichord was gaining momentum as a concert instrument, popularized by some Polish virtuosos such as Wanda Landowska and the dedicatee of this piece, Elisabeth Chojnacka, who collaborated frequently with Xenakis throughout most of his career. Khoaï was the first in a series of commissions entitled "Musik der Zeit", made by the Westdeutscher Rundfunk in Cologne.

[distantworlds]

Xenakis's works for harpsichord are hugely underrated. The point-like sound of the instrument suits the graphic nature of his compositions extremely well.