Appario is Latin for attainment. In this piece for chamber orchestra and steel drum ensemble, the steel drums function as “outsiders” trying to attain common ground with the rest of the ensemble. Appario originated as a diagram showing the relationship between the thematic materials played by the orchestra and the steel drums.
Pitch, rhythm, and dynamics are all musical elements taken into consideration by the graph, similar to the graphic design scheme of Subliminal Designs. One hears the music presented by the woodwinds, brass, and strings morphing into and away from the music being played by the steel drum ensemble. The recording here was made by the University of Illinois New Music Ensemble. The steel drum players were members of the group I-Pan from the University of Illinois as well.
