Emerging composer Andy Akiho and Sandbox Percussion Ensemble present cool music with -7 Pillars-

On October 11, renowned American contemporary composer Andy Akiho took the stage at the Zhongshan Park Music Hall, presenting a mesmerizing audio-vis

On October 11, renowned American contemporary composer Andy Akiho took the stage at the Zhongshan Park Music Hall, presenting a mesmerizing audio-visual experience for audiences attending the Beijing International Music Festival.

Akiho’s monumental chamber work, “7 Pillars,” is his largest composition to date, spanning 80 minutes and consisting of 11 movements. The seven string quartet movements symbolize the seven “pillars,” while the four solo movements are custom-tailored to reflect the unique personalities of each member of Sandbox Percussion. This intricate work features a palindrome structure, creating a dialogue between movements that showcases Akiho’s profound grasp of musical form and structure. Notably, it received two Grammy nominations in 2022 for Best Contemporary Classical Composition and Best Chamber Music/Small Ensemble Performance.

The performance opened with a tense, atonal atmosphere created by low drums, wooden blocks, and rim shots, immersing the audience in the thrilling intensity of a percussion ensemble. As the piece progressed, a variety of timbres entered the mix; the percussionists integrated instruments like the vibraphone, marimba, and glockenspiel with innovative playing techniques. Akiho’s compositions are characterized by experimental approaches to timbre and rhythm, featuring both precision-driven fast passages and delicate, gem-like melodies that provided an intricate auditory experience for attendees.

Additionally, Akiho and Sandbox Percussion collaborated with 11 video artists, each commissioned to create unique visual content for the individual movements. These videos encompassed dance, animation, experimental narratives, and time-lapse photography, perfectly complementing the music and merging auditory and visual artistry.

As a leading figure in contemporary music, Andy Akiho’s works are celebrated not only in the United States but also have resonated with Chinese audiences. His collaborations include performances with prestigious organizations such as the Beijing International Music Festival, New York Philharmonic, and Shanghai Symphony Orchestra. His 2015 premiere of “Ping Pong Concerto” at the Beijing International Music Festival continues to be fondly remembered by music lovers to this day.