Chorales: For Two Genders

Chorales was commissioned by the Cambridge Gamelan Society and first performed by Robert Campion and John Pawson at Kettle's Yard, Cambridge on Sunday 25th May 2008. Causton's detailed knowledge of the gamelan is focused on one particular instrument of the ensemble in this work, the gender barung, a fouteen-keyed matallophone with resonators. The commissioner, Robert Campion, felt that this instrument in particular has great potential as a soloist, especially for works which can be performed in intimate venues: Causton utilizes its ability to play chordal passages and melodic lines; notes can be left to resonate whilst others are played staccato; the range of expression and subtlety of touch is extreme.