Christopher
Christopher
Rouse
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MUSICWORKS
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Christopher Rouse
b. 1949
Christopher Rouse
born 1949
Christopher Rouse is an award-winning
American composer who has scooped both
the Pulitzer Prize and a Grammy.
As a musician, he is equally interested in both classical and
popular music. When he was Professor of Composition at
the famous Eastman School of Music he also taught a
course in the history of rock music.
In addition to his composing commitments, Rouse is now
a Professor at the prestigious Julliard School of Music
in New York.
Ogoun
Badagris
Ogoun Badagris was completed in 1976 and is scored for
Percussion Ensemble. It was inspired by the amazing
drumming techniques that originate from the small
Caribbean country of Haiti.
Ogoun Badagris is one of the most violent and terrifying
Voodoo Gods (who is only ever satisfied with the blood of
a human sacrifice).
The music can be divided into
3 clear sections
1
2
3
Section 1 is a call to action – the Voodoo
ceremony is about to take place.
The music sounds quite free with no strong
sense of rhythm. Rouse immediately draws you
in by using all kinds interesting percussion
sounds. Listen especially for the sound of the
string drum.
1
2
3
1
String Drum
ext
- played by pulling a cloth
upwards along a string
attached to an upside-down
drum.
You can hear it clearly in
opening section of the music.
Section 2 is a strong and rhythmical voodoo
dance.
The music is scored in Compound Time – in a
6/8 time signature.
If you have a copy of the score, Section 2
begins at letter A.
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2
3
Compound Time
- a musical meter in which
each beat can be divided
into three smaller units.
2
This is the principal drumming pattern from
Section 2. It is scored in compound time.
The pattern underpins almost the entire section.
2
Timpani Glissando
ext
Listen out for a special
effect on the timpani.
Rouse uses a playing
technique called
glissando which means
that the timpani has to
slide from one note to the
other.
The player creates this
effect by moving a foot
pedal to change the pitch.
2
Timpani Glissando
ext
You can see this at
Figure D in the score.
You can also hear this on
the MUSICWORKS CD.
Select Track 9 and
fast forward to 02:05.
Cross Rhythms
- a complex musical effect created
when two or more contrasting
rhythms are played simultaneously.
As the dance progresses, Rouse introduces cross
rhythms which begin to disrupt the steady 6/8
drumming pattern.
On the score above, notice how Rouse places 6
notes against 5. This creates an interesting but
slightly uncomfortable rhythmic texture.
You can see this at Figure F in the score.
You can also hear this on the MUSICWORKS CD.
Select Track 9 and fast forward to 03:00.
Section 3 depicts the actual voodoo sacrifice.
The music switches from compound time into
simple time to a 2/4 time signature. This
makes the music feel as if it has changed gear.
If you have a copy of the score, Section 3
begins at letter H.
1
2
3
At the very end of the piece, when the Voodoo
sacrifice is over, the performers shout ‘reler’, which
is the voodoo equivalent of amen.
Ogoun Badagris
Christopher
Rouse