East L.A. Phase

for two pianos or four guitars or four marimbas

1975

East L.A. Phase was composed in 1975. The piece can be performed on two pianos, four marimbas or four guitars. The work is based on two ostinato figures, one of which was borrowed from the British rock pianist Keith Emerson. East L.A. is a slum area of Los Angeles inhabited mainly by Mexican-Americans. The piece combines rock music, Mexican folk music and minimal music. The title refers to Steve Reich’s work “Piano Phase” from 1968.

East L.A. Phase has been performed and recorded by the Danish Percussion Ensemble and the Los Angeles Guitar Quartet (GHA).

Recording available from GHA: http://www.gharecords.com/asp/shopping_2.asp?lang=uk&cd=126.016

Score available from http://www.norsk-percussion.no

Download programme note as PDF: East L.A. Phase