Circuit Breaker by Gene Koshinski

Circuit Breaker, scored for percussion sextet, functions as a concertino for percussion duo with percussion quartet accompaniment. While there is no set program, the impetus for the piece came from images of robots dancing. Initially, I was intrigued by a video of twenty synchronized “Noa” robots dancing in perfect unison, but the aesthetic of the music did not seem to fit the visual image. This posed the question, “What kind of music would a robot dance to?” This question conjured up a variety of ideas and sounds from mechanical and industrial to unusual and whimsical. Circuit Breaker takes the listener through a series of musical scenes that offer a response to this abstract question. While the concept of the work is somewhat light and humorous, the score itself is both technically and musically demanding, particularly for the soloists. The piece ranges in aesthetic and includes music that is angular, free, motoric, conversational, improvisatory, and of course groove-oriented. Simply put, the piece is full of color and fun!