DREAMS OF A SPIRIT SEER (1993)
for Percussion Quartet
Program Note
I have been attracted to the instruments of the percussion family throughout my musical career, even experiencing an abortive attempt at becoming a drummer in primary school. Percussion instruments are capable of an extremely expressive variety of sounds, from the most delicate ephemeral effects to sounds of atavistic power. Dreams of a Spirit Seer explores this diversity in the context of contemporary and non-Western rhythmic techniques. These techniques include the use of additive rhythms, metric modulation, fractional meters, and controlled or limited improvisation.
The title is borrowed from a work by Immanuel Kant published in 1766. Kant's work, based on inquiries concerning his contemporary Emanuel Swedenborg, examines the metaphysical idea of a spiritual world, concluding that knowledge of such a world is beyond our awareness or perception. Sharing similar beliefs, I found Kant's writing intriguing, albeit obscure. Man's fascination with the inexplicable all too often leads to claims of exclusive knowledge of the unknowable and acts based on those claims all too often have tragic consequences.
Total Percussion required:
2 Bass Drums, Bongos (1 pair), Cabasa, Large Chinese Cymbal, 3 Circular Sawblades, Claves, 3 Large Clay Pots (suspended), 2 Congas, 3 Cowbells, Crotales, Darabuka, Egg Shaker, Large Flexatone, Grand Piano (interior only), Guiro, Hi-hat, Maraca, Marimba, Metal Pipe, 3 Peking Opera Gongs (suspended), Piu ili (Hawaiian Bamboo Rute), Ratchet, 4 Roto-toms, Steel Drum, Large Tam-tam, 4 Temple Cup Gongs, 2 Timbales, 4 Tom-toms, Vibraslap, Vibraphone, Whip, Woodblock
In addition to the regular beaters, 5 or 6 violin/cello bows, 2 superball mallets, and 3 piano bows are required.
Score excerpts:
Opening of the first movement
Opening of the second movement
Program Note
The nature of ritual is as an abstract re-enactment of significant events with a fundamental purpose of catharsis as an ultimate goal. Religious rituals, in particular, share a common theme of transformation through sacrifice. My inspiration for Rite was the concept of a religious ritual in which the transformation of the celebrants became unexpectedly real and complete--that the ritual was no longer abstract, but something which changes the celebrants' completely in unknowable and dramatic ways.
The piece is in four sections. The static, repetitious material of the opening represents the initial call to worship. The ritual itself, with the preparation of the sacrifice, is presented though rapidly moving figures. The third section, in which musical motion almost ceases completely, represents the sacrifice of one of the celebrants. The final orgiastic section portrays the transformation through sacrifice into a new state of being.
CAT SPANKING: A FANTASY FOR PERCUSSION (1979)
for Percussion Ensemble (nine players)
Program Note
While visiting my parents' house, I saw our cat leap upon the dining room table. This behavior (on the cat's part, not mine) was promptly and vigorously rewarded with a spanking from my mother. Curiously, the rhythm of the spanking was one meter of 7/8 (WHAP-whap-whap Whap-whap Whap-whap) which instantaneously brought to mind the main melody of the work. The subtitle refers only to the free form of the piece (a rather loose theme and variations in a fast-slow-fast tempo scheme) and not to some pathological hatred of cats on my part. Personally, I love cats, although they must not, of course, be allowed on the dining room table.
Instrumentation:
Player 1: Piano
Player 2: Xylophone 1, Vibraphone
Player 3: Marimba, Orchestra Bells, Vibraphone, Temple Blocks
Player 4: Celeste, Medium Wood Block, Xylophone 2
Player 5: Timpani 1 (3 Drums)
Player 6: Timpani 2 (3 Drums)
Player 7: Snare Drum, Large Wood Block, Chimes
Player 8: Tenor Drum, Large Tam-tam, Tambourine, Large Suspended Cymbal, Triangle, Log Drums (4 pitches), Claves, Gongs and/or Almglocken in D, F and B
Player 9: Small Bass Drum, Large Tam-tam, Large Suspended Cymbal, Small Wood Block, Gongs and/or Almglocken in D, F and B
Players 2 and 3 are to share the same vibraphone. Players 8 and 9 are to share the same tam-tam, suspended cymbal, and gongs/almglocken.
The two sets of timpani are to be placed on opposite sides of the stage, as are the two xylophones.
Difficulty: College. The main difficulties lie in the almost constant meter changes in the outer sections at very fast tempi.
Score and parts: Computer (Finale).
Cat Spanking: A Fantasy for Percussion was awarded first prize in the 1992 Percussive Arts Society Composition Contest and is published by C. Alan Publications/McClaren Publications.
