Xenakis – Naama
Naama is a keyboard work by Xenakis.
One way that the musical ideas interact in the work is by an accommodation of their rhythms. The problem of accommodation is solved by contorting, extending and breaking these rhythms.
I feel like the musical ideas would rather live separately but they are being forced to occupy the same space. The ideas confront each other and weave intricate dances. At times a rigid compromise is imposed, the ideas are forced into a single expression, but this decays to silence.
I enjoy the shock of hearing the chaos and freedom of this music. Though I grow more comfortable with it each time I listen, each time I learn more about how the pieces fit together.
I’d love to hear a different performer interpret this work.