BEARINGS GLOCKEN is a musical instrument that automatically performs a glockenspiel using steel ball for bearings, said to be the world's most perfect sphere on earth.

The steel ball is finished into a nearly perfect sphere, and has the property of uninformly bouncing back, over and over.

BEARINGS GLOCKEN uses this property in a musical instrument.

I paid particular attention to the following two points: First, I focused on the fact that "science and technology" and "artistic expression" have always developed hand in hand. Leonardo de Vinci, who invented principle of bearings, shows this clearly.

The other point is realizing "live sound" through performance. We have fewer and fewer chances to experience "live performance." These days we can even listen to music on mobile phones. But, I want people to know the richness, power, impact, and vividness of "sound created right before your eyes."

I composed the music after calculating the relationship with the tracks of the bouncing balls. Arpeggio, melody, harmony, ensemble. With just a single octave, it is possible to re-create a multi-hued performance.

If this piece has a future, I want to form a BEARINGS ORCHESTRA that would enable a more rich ensemble.

I hope this work inspires you to want to share the experience with those you cherish.

KAWASE Kohske, MARCH 2007