Caribbean Gates

Written by Alan Elkins

For: Steel pan ensemble (Leads, Double Seconds, Triple Guitars, Basses)

"When Bryan Stanbridge first approached me to write a piece for steel drum ensemble, I decided I would not produce an imitation of what I thought to be traditional steel drum music. I attended a few steel band concerts throughout high school and college, and rather enjoyed the music, but knew little about it. I felt any attempt on my part to authentically capture the traditional sound would fall short. At that time, I was sifting through a handful of early minimalist works by John Adams, intrigued by way the harmonies gradually shifted in such a way as to give each change extra emphasis. I have always enjoyed a good ostinato, and I had been wanting to employ such harmonic shifts in a work of my own. Thus Caribbean Gates was born as an homage of sorts to John Adams’ famous solo piano work, Phrygian Gates (although my piece is more similar in scope to the shorter, lesser-known follow-up, China Gates). The work is rhythmically driven by consistent shifts between groupings of two and three eighth notes, with stacks of fourths, fifths and seconds creating a more “open” harmonic sound. Certain melodic patterns and devices are based loosely on my recollections of steel drum music, but again, this is less an attempt at authenticity than it is a matter of tribute."
— Alan Elkins