RAGA I for percussion and orchestra fits in Wim Henderickx's RAGA cycle and was originally scored for PERCUSSION AND TWO PIANOS in 1994, commissioned by the Royal Conservatoire of Antwerp.
This version was commissioned by the BRTN Philharmonic Orchestra (now Brussels Philharmonic) in 1996.

RAGA I also exists in a version for SOLO PERCUSSION and for PERCUSSION AND CONCERT BAND.

The composition consists of two contrasting movements. The first part is slowly meditative and poetic, the second part is fast and has tremendous rhythmical drive.

For the melodic material, Henderickx was inspired by the Indian modi, which determine the atmosphere of the music. This work combines the morning raga and the evening raga.

The rhythmic material is based on the Indian tala structure. Accents and adornments provide the variation in the music within a certain number of beats.

As well oriental as African percussion instruments are abundantly used in this work.

RECORDINGS

Megadisc MDC 7833 (1999)
RAGA I, II, III
RAGA I
The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra Of Flanders, cond. Grant Llewellyn
Gert François, percussion Leo De Neve,viola
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SCORE

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INSTRUMENTATION / EXTRA INFORMATION

RAGA I for percussion and orchestra
commissioned by the BRTN Philharmonic Orchestra
(+/- 18’)
Instrumentation: perc solo / picc, 2, 2, eng hn, 2, bass cl, 2, cbsn / 4, 3, 3, 1 / hp / strings
first performance: October 28, 1996 at de Singel in Antwerp
Gert François, percussion
BRTN Philharmonic Orchestra
cond. Koen Kessels