Arc & Current (2007) - Roger Przytvlski

In my mind, the Steel Drum conjures up images of electricity, islands, festivals, hammers, and gleaming steel. The idea of industry and nature coming together to form something new, artistic, and acoustic was a very intriguing concept. Arc & Current was composed with the idea of this duality in mind. Each of the two movements explores both an industrial and natural aspect of the instrument.

Arc refers to the gleaming light created by an electrical arc as well as the curved shape of the steel drum. The first movement follows an arch form and begins with bright chords and a dancing line that passes back and forth between the two players. The chords continually spark up and interrupt the arcing line until they fuse together and intermingle in a clamor of the two lines. The movement then becomes an interweaving dance as the moving line passes between the drums while chordal sparks intermittently interrupt the flow. The two lines come back together and intermingle once again leading to a bright rhythmic conclusion.

Current refers to the movement of electricity through metal as well as the movement of water in and away from the beaches. This movement continues the dancing arcing line from the first movement but pairs it with a more flowing and festive melody. A joyous chorus continually enters in a rondo form but eventually leads back to the chordal sparks from the beginning. A chromatic version of the Current melody plays alongside the chords until the sparks ultimately take over and conclude the piece. -- Roger Przytvlski