Juggler - Percussion Sextet

This work was commissioned by the "Percussion Company Dozen" and premiered in April of 2000. The title considers acrobatic street performers' swift and deft performances with knives, balls, clubs, plates and so forth, done with splendid execution. Moods freely range from melancholic coolness to mischief and trickery, visually portraying the handiwork of those gifted buskers. On whole, the work consists of three parts: a rapid 16 beat introduction, a pensive blue note middle, and a cross-rhythmic finale in five-four.
Advice for performance includes: for the first section present a vigorous sound with full utilization of accents; maintain a careful balance for the blues section; and in the finale, enjoy and emphasize the tension created by cross rhythm patterns. I expect the intensity of your performance to surpass that of the professional athletes.

(Shin'ya Takahashi)