Child's Play

When Vivi Vassileva 􏰀rst contacted me with the idea of writing a piece for her and Lucas Campara Diniz, I was immediately excited about the prospect of a work for Guitar and Vibraphone (a beautiful combination) and for Vivi, who I’ve always found to be an inpisiring percussion virtuoso. The idea for Child’s Play was to connect with the directness, joy, and unbridled simplicity of children’s games. I chose to write a six movement suite, each of which is inspired by a different game or activity that children play all around the world. 1. Double Dutch is a rhythmic celebration of the various ways children engage with jumping rope, from the solitary jumper focusing on their rhythm to the laughter and cheers of group games, weaving in and out of the ropes. 2. Hide and Seek is a whimsical movement inspired by the suspense and excitement of hiding and the joy of seeking - a sort of cat-and-mouse dynamic between the guitar and vibraphone. 3. Music Box evokes the sense of wonder of a young child 􏰀rst encountering a music box. 4. Tag is fast-paced, with sudden turns and bursts of energy, encapsulating the rush and playful spirit of the game. It's a musical chase, full of laughter and light- heartedness, mimicking the unpredictable nature of a group of children darting about in a game of tag. 5. Ice Skating is the most gentle and introverted movement of the suite - with the sense of movement, wonder, and special feeling that a day at the skating rink can only bring. 6. Bike Ride - Closing the suite, this movement embodies the freedom and adventure of a bike ride, capturing the exhilarating sense of speed and the joy of exploration.