Kinetics

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Description +
- Kinetics derives from the Greek word kinesis, meaning “movement,” and refers to how forces influence the motion of a body.
  
  In physics, we speak of kinetic energy, the energy an object possesses by virtue of its motion.
  
  Consider the example of a bowling ball. As the ball is released, its potential energy is converted into kinetic energy. The faster and heavier the ball, the greater its kinetic energy as it travels down the lane. When the ball strikes the pins, that kinetic energy is transferred to them. The pins then acquire kinetic energy of their own and scatter in different directions.
  
  I have often reflected on how I memorize a virtuosic marimba piece. More often than not, I do not remember the individual notes or chords themselves; rather, I remember how I move at the instrument and which mallet combinations I use. If, during a performance, I were to become nervous (which, of course, almost never happens...), one useful strategy is to focus on my physical movements instead of the notes that I may momentarily have forgotten.
  
  Even with your eyes closed, you still know where your hands are. Take a tennis ball and toss it from one hand to the other. Then try the same exercise with your eyes closed. Most likely, your brain will still know exactly the trajectory the ball follows, and you will catch it without difficulty.
  
  The sense that allows the body to automatically know the position of the hands and other body parts is called proprioception (or the kinesthetic sense).
  
  Specialized receptors known as proprioceptors are located throughout the muscles, tendons, and joints. They function as the body’s internal positioning system, continuously monitoring changes in muscle tension and joint angles. This information is transmitted as nerve signals to the central nervous system, where the brain processes the data almost instantaneously, creating an internal map of the body. Thanks to this remarkable system, you can close your eyes and still touch the tip of your nose with your finger effortlessly.
  
  When I was commissioned to write a marimba solo for Nežka Prosenjak, I immediately thought of her extraordinary technique and distinctive musical touch. With these qualities in mind, and inspired by the concept of proprioception, I composed KINETICS, a work that features highly virtuosic and demanding passages designed to be memorized and performed through the performer’s kinesthetic sense.
  
  - Daniel Berg
Instrumentation +
- Marimba (5.0)
Watch+
- Performed by Nežka Prosenjak
About the composer +
- Daniel Berg is a Swedish composer, musician, and professor in classical percussion at the Royal College of Music in Stockholm and at the Academy of music and drama in Gothenburg.
  
  In his passion to promote the marimba as a solo- and chamber music instrument, Daniel has worked intimately with a number of composers who have written original music for the instrument. This includes more than 300 world premier for solo and chamber works. Daniel Berg is a marimba artist of Bergerault and Elite Mallets.
  
  As a composer Daniel has written a lot for solo marimba like Mistral (for Michael Burritt), Phoenix (for Robert van Sice) and Yán Jiâng (for the Taiwan World Percussion Competition). His music for percussion ensemble have been appreciated and often performed like Kroumata (for sextet) and Arctic Nights (for quintet) - all published by Edition Svitzer.
Credits +
- Cover (art photo): Peter Christensson
  Photo (Daniel Berg): Roschkov Media
  Film Printed in Copenhagen, Denmark
  Copyright © Edition SVITZER
  www.editionsvitzer.com

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