Transitions for Solo Percussion and
Wind Ensemble is scored for standard wind ensemble (2 flutes, 2
oboes, 3 clarinets, bass clarinet, 2 bassoons, 4 saxophones, 4
horns, 3 trumpets, 2 trombones, bass trombone, euphonium, tuba)
with timpani and 2 percussionists in addition to the soloist. This composition is written at a performance level
consistent with most college or university
ensembles.
Transitions for Solo Percussion and
Percussion Ensemble is scored for
seven percussionists performing on 2
marimbas, vibraphone, xylophone, crotales, bells, chimes, 4
timpani, triangle, suspended cymbal, china cymbal, high-hat, 4
concert toms, bass drum, and tam-tam, in addition to the
soloist (marimba, vibraphone, 4 concert
toms, bongos, snare drum). This composition is written at a
performance level consistent with most college or advanced high
school literature.
Transitions
is also scored for soloist with piano reduction. The solo part is intended to
be accessible to graduate or advanced undergraduate percussion
performers.
The
concept behind Transitions is that of
a single day and the gradual shifts and changes within it. There are three distinct but related segments
reflected in the piece: Dawn, Day, and Dusk; these form
uninterrupted movements in a slow-fast-slow format. Within the
faster middle movement is a percussion cadenza.
The melodic and harmonic
content of Transitions is based
almost entirely on the B half-whole octatonic scale.
The opening pitches in the solo
vibraphone form the primary motive of the work and bring
continuity to the piece as a whole. After
the first statement, this motive is immediately restated in the
ensemble’s percussion section, later used as punctuation tones
in the cadenza, and finally restated in retrograde in the final
measures of the work, again in the solo vibraphone, as an
indication of the inevitable connection to the start of a new
day. This concerto is truly an
exciting and challenging work for the soloist including
virtuosic material on both pitched and non-pitched percussion
instruments. This work will captivate any audience with
its musical contrasts and fascinate them with the visually
stimulating choreography in the soloist's
performance.
click on the
cover page to view an excerpt of the solo with piano reduction
