Five Directions

Description:

Martin Bartlett presented his improvisational score Five Directions (1972) in the Grand Luxe Hall with Don Druick (flute), Ken Moore (drums), Paul Grant (bells), and Ross Barrett (saxophone). Based on the concept of the mandala, the work explores the colour, element, sound, passion, and transforming wisdom associated with each of the five directions: east, south, west, north, and centre.  

The concert took place in the round, with each musician seated in relation to each direction. Playing in turns, the performance began to the east with Druick, then continued to the south with Moore, then west with Grant, and north with Barrett, closing with all four musicians improvising together to represent the centre. 

Five Directions took place as part of a concert event celebrating Western Front’s first anniversary. Following this piece, Martin Bartlett led a performance of Cornelius Cardew’s The Great Learning (1971).

Video and audio documentation is available upon request.