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Concerto for Solo Percussion and Orchestra is
scored for a full symphony orchestra. It is 20 minutes in length and
uses the following instruments:
MOVEMENT I - temple blocks, small bass drum, tom-toms,
woodblocks, small suspended cymbal, bongos, snare drum, tambourine and
marimba
MOVEMENT II - glockenspiel, vibraphone, three suspended cymbals,
triangles, wind chimes, mark tree and bell tree
MOVEMENT III - xylophone
Each movement is quite different from the others and challenges
the soloist to musically move from one style to the next.
Movement I (Moderato, intense) uses a multiple
percussion setup with a constant flow of 16th and 32nd notes from one
instrument to the other. This flow of drum timbre produces a rhythmic
and melodic theme that is used to open as well as close the movement. In
the closing, it is used in an improvisatory style. The middle section of
the movement is written for the marimba and is somewhat reminiscent of
the outer sections in its rhythmic intensity.
Movement II (Mysterious, flexible tempo) is slow and
quite different from Movement I. There is much bowing of the vibes and
cymbals, which creates a mysterious atmosphere, and the slow tempo and
long musical lines gives the feeling of a movement suspended in space.
Movement III (Allegro volante) is a xylophone solo and could
stand alone as just that. In fact, the composer has published it with
piano accompaniment as a separate piece. The tempo is fast and exciting,
and the flying 16th notes cover the entire range of the instrument. It
is written for two mallets.
Concerto for Solo Percussion and
Orchestra is an excellent addition to the much-needed percussion
concerto literature. Its contrasting movements, challenging solo
part, creative orchestration, accessibility to many players and visual
interest make this a worthwhile solo for those percussionists looking
for a new percussion concerto.
HEAR excerpts from
Dean Witten's premiere with the Haddonfield Symphony conducted by Alan
Gilbert.
from Mvt. 1
from Mvt. 2
from Mvt. 3
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