Inchokkillissa

for Guitar and Percussion - 12'
Commissioned by and dedicated to James Perez Bonney.
Premiered 1994.

Inchokkillissa roughly translates to mean loneliness and the work is based on an old Choctaw church hymn entitled Worth of the Soul. Southeastern Indians have been integrated with European traditions for about 300 years. These hymns were sung in the old language during Christian church services and combine old Choctaw/Chickasaw style music with Christian story lines. The hymn is quoted in fragments during the first page of the piece and is based upon the performance of Choctaw singer Harry Folsom.