Duduk I (Duduk, 1)

for solo soprano saxophone This work is based on the traditional modes/scales of Armenia. 'Duduk' is the name of the Armenian oboe that is normally accompanied by drones. Erkoreka cleverly creates the illusion of the drone's presence and uses techniques to match the saxophone's timbre as close to that of the mellow and mournful duduk as possible.

Gabriel Erkoreka was born in Bilbao, Spain. He studied composition with Michael Finnissy at the Royal Academy of Music, where he obtained the DipRAM and a Masters degree with distinction, and was appointed Fellow of Composition 1997-98. Erkoreka's work has been performed in the Venice Biennale 2004; the Musikverein in Vienna; the South Bank Centre, Spitalfields Festival, ICA and Wigmore Hall in London. His music has been recorded and broadcast by the BBC, WDR, RAI, RNE and other radio stations from various countries; several of his works are available on CD, edited by Verso, FNAC, LIM records and the Fundación Autor. Gabriel Erkoreka currently lives in London and teaches composition at MUSIKENE-Basque Country Conservatoire.