Concerto for Solo Percussion & Wind Symphony (2001)
The long-awaited premiere occurred on September 20, 2011, with the phenomenal Gwen Burgett Thrasher as soloist and the Michigan State University Wind Symphony conducted by Kevin Sedatole .
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Concerto for Solo Percussion & Wind Symphony - excerpt 1
Concerto for Solo Percussion & Wind Symphony - excerpt 2
Performance material available from the composer.
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Scored for Piccolo, Flutes 1, 2, 3; Oboes 1, 2, English Horn; Soprano Clarinet (Eb), Clarinets 1, 2, 3 (Bb), Bass Clarinet (Bb); Bassoons 1, 2, Contra Bassoon; Alto Saxophones 1, 2, Tenor Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone; Trumpets 1, 2, 3 (Bb); Horns 1, 2, 3, 4 (F); Trombones 1, 2, Bass Trombone; Euphonium, Tuba; Percussion Solo. The ensemble may consist of one player per part, with the exception of clarinets and bass clarinets where a minimum of two players per part is required.
Duration: 15 minutes.
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Program notes
As I composed the concerto, I envisaged a lone percussionist, center stage, surrounded by three dozen wind instruments. The ideas flowed generously.
The timpani form a timbral home base for the concerto. The character of each movement is determined largely by its featured mallet instrument: in the first, it’s the vibraphone; in the second, the marimba; and in the third, xylophone.
The first movement is savage – wild and relentless. The storm is calmed in the second movement where the rich, deep tones of the concert grand marimba carry on a dialogue with small groupings of woodwind instruments. Despite the quietude, the atmosphere is colored by an underlying edginess. All tensions are dispelled in the spirited, somewhat raucous, finale.
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