Bahian Counterpoint

When I first heard Steve Reich’s “Electric Counterpoint” written for and performed by guitarist Pat Metheny, I was transfixed. I had already begun playing the berimbau at that time, and I knew immediately that I would have to do something of the sort for the berimbau. I slowly but steadily developed the idea of composing my own “counterpoint” for the berimbau. I had the good fortune to premiere the first movement of this work at the Bang on a Can Festival in the summer of 2002, with Steve Reich in the audience. I have since written and recorded second and third movements, and have included video to reinforce certain musical processes. The second movement is also dedicated to Evan Ziporyn, who taught me the musical structures of Balinese katchak singing. I am extremely thankful to the Banff Centre for the Arts. Without the support of the wonderful people and facilities of that institution, I could never have realized this work’s multiple facets. – Gregory Beyer