Judith Shatin

Percussion Quintet

Composer's Note:

The title, Khamsa, which means ‘five’ in Arabic, refers to an ancient palm-shaped amulet that has been used as a sign of protection against the ‘evil eye.’ It has meaning in all three Abrahamic religions: Judaism, Christianity and Islam, though it predated all of them. During this time of turmoil, chose this title, and designed a structure based on the five digits and for five players, as an expression of hope for better times ahead and for protection for all people against intolerance based on religious creed and ethnicity. Each of the five members of the quintet represents the fingers of the open palm. The music is intensely dramatic, with powerful gestures to ward off evil. It is also conversational, with debates and discussions, and gradual agreement that intensifies over the course of the piece. Khamsa was commissioned by the UVA Percussion Ensemble and its director I-Jen Fang on the occasion of the ensemble’s tenth anniversary and is dedicated to them.

Percussion Needed:

Perc 1: Snare drum, woodblock (lo), cowbell (hi) 18” ride cymbal
Perc 2: 2 tom-toms (med/hi), 2 bongos (med/hi), maraca, clave (hi)
Perc 3: BD, wind gong (med), 2 congas (lo/med), brake drum (med)
Perc 4: 2 tom-toms (low/med), 2 bongos (lo/med), tambourine, clave (lo)
Perc 5: Snare drum, cowbell (lo), woodblock (hi), 16” ride cymbal