Dance
Features for Brass Quintet and Percussion
Very
often in the world of classical music, there is a kind of supply and demand
phenomenon that takes place. When it comes to works for brass quintet
and percussion, there is anything but a wealth of works in this repertoire.
We need look no further than the Tucson music scene for a case and point.
Homero Ceron, percussionist with the Tucson Symphony asked this composer
to write a work for percussion and brass quintet. In order for him to get
the necessary quota of performances with the orchestra, he was required
to perform in a chamber group. In lieu of a percussion ensemble,
a brass quintet was the logical solution.
When we discussed the piece,
Homero suggested that I compose several movements in which I would feature
certain instruments of the quintet paired with different percussion instruments.
I also thought I'd try to tailor the movements to fit the various personalities
of the group. The six movement work is framed by two outer bravura movements
with local color: Hoedown at the Pass and Gallop Round the Bend.
The second movement, Phantom Waltz features the horn paired with timpani.
The third is Midnight Tango featuring the two trumpets along with castanets,
woodblocks and other wooden sounds. Rounding off the work are St. David
Shuffle (trombone and marimba features with jazz overtones) and Pas De
Deux (tuba and vibraphone features in a somewhat neo-romantic style).
Each movement is highly stylized
with tight rhythmic/melodic motives. The forms are traditional but, as
a result of the manipulation of short motives each musical phrase is chopped
up, in the manner of a mosaic rather than in smooth phrases as in a tradtional
painting or drawing.
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