Luc Levesque : Onk Akimel Landscape for 4 guitars : DOz

Luc  Levesque

Les Productions D’Oz : Score and separate parts (12, 3, 3, 3, and 3 pages respectively)

Part of the Collection Chuck Hulihan this very attractive piece of writing can be found recorded by Hulihan and his quartet on a fine YouTube performance for anyone interested in what this piece sounds like. Onk Akimel is the name given in Nahuati by the Pimas tribe in Arizona. This name means "The Salt River." The soundscape is represented by an ostinato that moves through each section. The music itself is very tuneful and bouncy and at times sounds almost in the pop music vein, as the melody and harmonies are catchy and foot-tapping almost.

Although the piece is marked at 144 crotchets a minute and written in mostly quavers throughout the actual notation is not too difficult, and a modestly good quartet will find little that is difficult to get their hands around.

The sound relies on friendly harmonies, all above an almost constant ostinato that is the sound of the river. Everything moves along in a most enjoyable way and the 4+ minutes of this piece will definitely be appreciated by players and listeners alike.

Chris Dumigan