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 Rhapsody for Solo Percussion and Orchestra

In one movement. A great variety of instruments are used by the soloist in this impressive and sometimes mystical composition constructed over a cyclical motif. Preceding the cadenza, a rare opportunity is available to play freely on the berimbau or another instrument of your choice. “This is an excellent concerto, worthy of consideration for the advanced recital program or concerto concert.” (Percussive Notes)
 

Level: advanced

Duration: 30 min.

Setup: For Solo Percussion and Orchestra: (2 fl, 2 ob, 2 clar, 2 bsn,
4 fr. hn, 2 tpt, 2 tbn, tuba, strings,
1 perc and timp).


Opus #17.1


Demo MP3 available

Orchestral excerpts
 


Rental Material Only - Available at MalletWorks Music
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Composed in Miami between 1991 and 1992, this work is dedicated to my late father. The piece is based on a simple melody which he used to sing, as he would recite his poem “As espumas do Mar” (the Sea’s Foams). This thematic motive is presented on the frictioned glasses in the first bars of the piece, and is repeated in cycles and variations throughout the entire composition. The introduction is nearly free in form and the sound of the glasses combined with different bird whistles creates a mystical atmosphere. The second section of the work features the soloist playing vibraphone, and in the third section, the soloist performs on a large multiple percussion set-up which includes Brazilian folkloric instruments including repinique and berimbau. During the soloist’s cadenza some of the themes presented throughout the work are developed by the vibraphone and other percussion instruments. After the recapitulation of the main theme, the same mystical atmosphere of the beginning of the work is used for its conclusion. The piece was written for my final DMA recital at the University of Miami and includes several musical concepts that I learned as a student from Whit Sidener and Ron Miller. The original score was written for full orchestra. The instruments the soloist plays include vibraphone, 2 tom toms, snare drum, 4 cymbals, 5 temple blocks, 2 wood blocks, 2 cow bells, castanets, guiro, triangle, 5 bird whistles, 3 water glasses, repinique and berimbau.

For more information about this piece please view catalog by opus