My composition for snare drum forms a counter piece to my series of rhythmic pieces (Darabukka for piano or Morgenlied for large orchestra). The dramatic moment – tuned instruments are treated like rhythm instruments – disappear entirely. The inner contrast is replaced by the tension between the different uses of the drum and a relatively large number of invariable performance elements. Although the snare drum was only developed at the beginning of the 19th century, it has its roots in an old and diverse drum culture. The technical aspects of this composition are based on various aspects of this rich culture, both the social customs as well as the variety of different performing techniques and expressions. However, the piece does not merely quote – that would be unhistorical – on the contrary: The modern and progressive, in so far as I can observe this in our social environment, is quite evident, for as the title of the piece tells us “the same is not the same.”
(Nicolaus A. Huber, 1978 – translation: Gabriele Hohmann)