This trio version of Rain Chain was commissioned by Manfred Corrine in the context of an exhibition by the Austrian artist Rudi Wach, centred around the sculpture Minotaurus. The work was conceived as part of a broader artistic setting that included filmed and choreographic elements.

The original solo version of Rain Chain forms part of the collection 3 Pieces on 2 Instruments for 1 Player, in which vibraphone and marimba are performed simultaneously by a single player. In the trio version, the form is expanded and adapted to meet the dramaturgical requirements of the commission.

The piece opens with a free handpan introduction, accompanied by subtle mbira and percussion textures in the background. The established A and B sections of the original follow in recognisable form.

For the vibraphone solo, a cello enters, enriching the bass register and adding a darker tonal colour. In contrast to the solo version, the solo does not intensify towards the B section; instead, the energy is deliberately reduced. The subsequent B section is presented expressively in the cello.

A sudden transition introduces a sharply rhythmic section — a musical “confrontation” marked by driving patterns and a tense atmosphere. After an extended general pause, the handpan returns, suggesting a moment of reflection. The final gesture carries a sense of inevitability before the music subsides.