Ludus by Jean Aubain

In some of my compositions I have used material from Norwegian folk music, especially music from Setesdal.  Ludus belongs to that category.  Here I use motives from Bjørnaraa-tona, a vocal melody (´stev´), and three walking dances – a type of dance called ´gangar´. The dances are named after three places in the valley: Sordølen, Flatelanden and Hovstaden. That is also true to Bjørnaraa, introduced in the middle of the composition. The folk music from Setesdal was performed on hardanger-fiddle, the national instrument of Norway, but I hope Ludus will show us that marimba also is well suited for that type of music.  

Ludus is written for Brian Zator, Jonathan Ovalle, Matthew Coley and Eugene Koshinski.