Appario (2002)

Appario is Latin for attainment. In this piece
for chamber orchestra and steel drum ensemble,
the steel drums function as "outsiders" trying
to attain common ground with the rest of the
ensemble. Appario originated as a diagram
showing the relationship between the thematic
materials played by the orchestra and the steel
drums.

Pitch, rhythm, and dynamics are all musical elements
taken into consideration by the graph, similar to the
graphic design scheme of Subliminal Designs.
One hears the music presented by the
woodwinds, brass, and strings morphing into
and away from the music being played by the
steel drum ensemble. The recording here was
made by the University of Illinois New Music
Ensemble. The steel drum players were
members of the group I-Pan from the
University of Illinois as well.