Mallet Ensembles
5-6 Players
5-6 Players . . .
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AMPÉLOPSIS
for Percussion Ensemble
$35.00
Dominique R. Jayles
First
place winner - PAS Italy Composition
Contest - 2006.
This ensemble piece offers a very rewarding challenge to advanced performers. Scored for six multi-percussionists,
this is an intricate work requiring
great attention to nuance and detail. Instrumentation: Marimba,
Bells, Vibraphone, Xylophone and a large array of small instruments -
including bongos, tom
toms, triangles and a variety of cymbals among others. college/professional.
Answers
$35.00
Marcelo H. Ferreyra
Sound samples: Mv't. I
Mv't. II
Mv't. III
Challenging contemporary Argentinean work scored
for
marimba
soloist with
percussion quartet accompaniment
- in three short movements. Quartet instrumentation: xylophone,
bells, vibraphone, snare and bass drum. Version for
marimba duo
with quartet accompaniment also available. college/professional.
William Price
Boogaloo: Rough and
Tumble was constructed using
the late 1950's - early 60's "boogaloo" popular music style as the main
impetus for the piece. New Orleans funk and soul rhythms are combined to
create a driving, syncopated framework that supports the "quirky"
melodic lines that permeate the work. Quartet version - 3rd prize winner
in the Percussive Arts Society Composition Contest: 2004.
Available in two
versions: for 4 players ($25.00) or 6-7 players ($28.00).
Instrumentation: vibraphone, xylophone
& glock., marimbas (2 - one 5 octave) and an array of small percussion
(cymbals, cow bells, toms, etc.).
Version for 6-7 players: $28.00
Butai
No Tameno Ongaku (Music For Kabuki Theatre)
$25.00
Angel Luis Ferrando-Morales
Sound samples:
1
2
3
Scored for six multi-percussionists, this unique work received the
second place prize in the 1999 PAS
Composition Contest ("medium size percussion ensemble"). The work’s
duration is approximately 8 minutes and it utilizes some traditional
Japanese instruments as well as Western percussion instruments. The
thematic material is constructed from a pentatonic scale and its
transpositions and the rhythms are inspired by traditional Japanese
music for the theatre, as the titles implies. This title would present a
worthwhile challenge for an advanced high school or college level
ensemble.
Concerto for Darabukka and Percussion Quartet
$30.00
Anthony DiSanza Sound samples: 1 2 3 Video samples
Concerto for Darabukka and Percussion Quartet, explores three traditional Middle Eastern Iqa’at (rhythmic cycles): Masmudi Kabir (8/4 time signature), Jourjunah (10/8), and Karachi (2/4), as well as one original cycle set in 12/8. Structured in a modified rondo form and requiring extensive improvisation by the soloist, the work combines traditional Middle Eastern percussion instruments with instruments from Eastern Asia, South America, and the Caribbean.
In addition to Middle Eastern musical inspiration, the work draws on monadic chant and Japanese festival drumming, as well as the lovely and exciting music of Japanese composers, Akira Nishimura and Kaoru Wada. The Concerto’s opening measures are directly related to the closing section of Wada’s composition, Rakuichi-Nanaza for Shinobue; Japanese percussion; and Western Percussion. college/professional. Duration ca. 13'40" [Recorded on Hand to Hand - HRCD010]
Concerto for Marimba & Chamber Orchestra
Scott Blasco
Version for marimba soloist, with accompaniment by two pianos and three percussionists. Challenging, yet accessible feature for marimba (5-octave). Three movements, ca. 17’ - vibrant rhythms and lively interaction between the soloist and the piano and percussion parts make this a very audience friendly work! [Chamber Orchestra Version also available]
Marimba Solo: $10.00 Full score, marimba solo and parts (pianos & percussion): $45.00
John R. Beck
Sound sample
Scored for 4-5 players, this ensemble is
a "rudimental fantasy" - which utilizes themes from three traditional
snare drum compositions; Three Camps, The Downfall of Paris and
Connecticut Halftime, with a nod to Steve Gadd’s performance of Fifty
Ways to Leave Your Lover! Instrumentation: three snare drums, bass drum
and optional toms (2). Big fun! high school/college.
[Recorded on
Tympanum Ubïquitäs
- HRCD005]
Steve Pemberton
Sound sample
This piece, which is scored for five players, is a 4 1/2 minute
exploration into the subtleties of the sounds of both metal (triangle,
finger cymbals) and wood (hi/low claves, castanets). Grounded by a
rhythmic theme that is heard both in the beginning and again toward the
end of the work, each of the parts is equally important. Although
written and conducted in four, there is a mesmerizing interplay of many
different time "feels" and rhythms throughout the piece. A very
"musical" piece scored for a minimum of instruments. while it requires a
great deal of subtly on the part of each performer, this will be
accessible to both younger players as well those with more advanced
performance experience. high school/college.
Eckhard Kopetzki
Sound samples: 1
2
3
4
Video sample
Third
place winner in the 2003 PAS composition contest (percussion
ensemble category)! This piece offers a challenging work-out for 6
multi-percussionists - ca. 8-9'. college/professional.
(INSTRUMENTATION)
William L. Cahn
Scored for five
percussionists. Instrumentation : EMAX keyboard (EMAX software and
instructions included), quicas (2), marimba, lion's roar, melodion, bass
harmonica, Chinese opera gongs (4), sus. cymbal, rainsticks (2),
handbell, drum set, slide whistle, and conch shells (2). [Recorded on
Nexus Now/Nexus CD 10262]
Green Alert
$28.00
This challenging ensemble is the first movement of Robert S. Cohen's Homeland Security Suite for Percussion.
SEE MORE DESCRIPTION & SOUND SAMPLE
[Six Players - Duration ca. 8' 33" ]
Bongos (2), Castanets, Claves, Congas (2), Cowbell Guiro, Maracas, Ratchet, Sand Blocks, Steel Drum, Tambourine, Temple Blocks, Triangle, Vibraslap, Woodblocks (2).
Joel Smales
Sound sample
This title is a
hand drumming ensemble piece written for 6 or more players. It is
written with an
African flavor
using congas, djembes, shakers, bells and more. This piece is a great
way to introduce some younger or novice hand drummers to hand drumming,
while keeping a high standard of integrity in sound quality and style.
An audience favorite since it makes such a nice contrast to other
percussion ensemble music, Hand Jam is very playable for high
school and college level ensembles. A driving 4/4 groove is broken up
with a 6/8 mid-section before returning to a high energy ending in 4/4.
Hand Jam would work very well either as a piece for dance
accompaniment or as an ensemble piece performed by itself.
Robert J. Damm
Scored for six players, this
ensemble was inspired by traditional Japanese taiko drumming and
is based on typical rhythmic patterns found in the folk music’s of
Japan. Adapted for six bass drums (one player also doubles on conga &
Chinese cymbal), this up-tempo work could serve as an exciting closing
or opening number on a percussion ensemble concert - or it could stand
alone as a unique showcase for a band’s percussion section! adv. high
school/college.
In Ancient Temple Gardens
$28.00
William L. Cahn
Sound samples: 1
2
3
Video sample
Inspired by Nexus'
first concert tour of Japan. Scored for solo percussionist
(xylophone/marimba, sleigh-bells, crotales, rattle, F# chime, 15-20 sus.
bells) and four players on two marimbas, with optional piano
accompaniment. adv. high school/college. [Recorded on
The Solo
Percussionist/The Music of William L. Cahn - CD 10339/NEXUS]
Ty Emerson
Challenging,
contemporary ensemble scored for five performers with small
multi-percussion set-ups (all indefinitely pitched instruments) and one
performer on piano - which is also treated as an indefinite pitched
instrument - performer plays on the inside, on the strings with various
techniques. This piece requires a great deal of rhythmic accuracy
and musical finesse from mature players and would make a major addition
to an ensemble concert program. college/professional.
D. Shostakovich -
arr. William L. Cahn
Famous as one of the
first percussion ensemble works to be found in Western Art Music, this
arrangement is scored for five percussionists. Instrumentation:
castanets, tam tam, snare drum, tambourines, sus. cymbal, triangles,
bass drum and tenor drum. high school/college.
"Credit
Cahn and HoneyRock for a neat easy-to-read rendition. Although
it can be comfortably performed with as many as ten players. Cahn, with
an eye toward practicality, has scored his arrangement so it can be
handled by as few as five percussionists..."
(Percussive
Notes)
Journey to the Dayspring
$25.95
Karl Prescott Henning
Up-tempo,
rhythmic romp for six players - features interlocking rhythmic patterns,
meter changes, dynamic contrasts - and a few instances of 5:4 that will
provide a challenge. Instrumentation: Bongos (pair), Snare Drum
(2), Triangle, Cow Bells (2), Suspended Cymbal and Bass Drum. high school/college.
LEGEND for Marimba Ensemble
$30.00
Robert E. Kreutz
Scored for a minimum of five marimbists, with
piano and string bass, this work is full of nuances and subtle ensemble
challenges. If players and instruments are available, it can be
expanded for up to nine or more marimbists. adv. high school/college.
SEE ALSO:
WESTERN SKETCHES for Marimba Trio.
William L. Cahn
Three movements:
Introduction, Largo & Canon. Six players, each with a small
multi-percussion set-up. Accessible, yet challenging for younger as well
as more experienced ensembles. Instrumentation: piano, triangles (2),
wood blocks (2), gong, bongos, castanets, ton toms (4), bass drum, sus.
cymbals (2), timpani (4) & antique cymbals (2). high school/college.
Mirror Image
$28.00
Chris Hanning
Challenging and unique
vibraphone solo with Percussion Ensemble -
6 Players. Solo and accompaniment patterns are active both
melodically and rhythmically - Latin/fusion-like rhythms predominate in
the accompaniment.
Some sections can be read as written or improvised
- solo part requires four mallets & bow.
adv. high school/college.
SEE ALSO: Version for Vibraphone solo with Soundscape.
Ben Wahlund
Sound sample
A unique pairing of
instruments gives this piece accessible melodic materials in combination
with interesting rhythmic configurations. None of the individual
parts are particularly difficult, so even less experienced ensembles
will have fun with this one and will sound great as well!. Scored
for six players: Oboe (or Clarinet), Multi-percussion
(1 player) and Mallet Quartet (Bells, Vibraphone &
two Marimbas). high school/college.
Jane
Boxall
Sound sample
Intended as an introduction to 5/4, many younger
ensembles will find this piece an interesting challenge. Scored for
claves, tambourine, guiro, bongos and frame drum - the parts for claves,
tambourine and guiro are suitable for inexperienced players, while the
parts for bongos and frame drum are a bit more difficult. The frame drum part calls for
the player to squeeze the drum head to produce pitch bends. All the
rhythms however are very straightforward, yet the piece moves at a brisk
tempo. jr. high/college.
Sinfonia No. 8
$27.95
Walter S. Hartley
A quintet in three movements, Sinfonia No. 8 offers the intermediate to advanced percussion ensemble a musical approach to mallet percussion instruments interacting with timpani and roto toms. adv. high school/college.
Ian
Corbett
A challenging ensemble scored for
five players: marimba, xylophone, vibraphone and two
multi-percussionists. The title reflects the sporadic nature of the
opening figures, and the canon-like elements found throughout. Most of
the time the mallet instruments are involved in some kind of a chase,
either echoing or developing precursory motifs and fragments. At the
beginning of the work this chase is sporadic, building to the more
continuous canonic writing at the middle of the piece. The juxtaposition
of rhythmically regular passages and the moments of rhythmic conflict in
the counter-lines connect these extended canonic passages to the
syncopation and irregularity of the opening figures. A great deal of
nuance and finesse is required for this one! Duration is approximately
7’50". college/professional.
Alan Chan
Scored for five
multi-percussionists, this work in three movements, offers a challenging
work-out for all players! Requires one 4 1/2-octave marimba and
one 5-octave marimba, as well as xylophone, glockenspiel, vibraphone and
an array of cymbals, drums and small percussion instruments. college/professional.
SEE INSTRUMENTATION LIST
"The first movement is called Fugue Islands. I was fascinated by the contrapuntal writing in the form of fugue and decided to take themes from Bach – the ostinati in the prelude of the G major Cello Suite and the Aria from the Goldberg Variations in a different tempo, and play simultaneously to contrast the tranquil and majestic feelings that these themes represent respectively – a kaleidoscope so to speak.
Gavotte and Salsa are both folk dances in a fast tempo. The former came from seventeenth-century France, the other from modern day Cuba. To have both in the same movement is truly a buy-one-get-one-free deal.
Badinerie from Bach’s Orchestral Suite No.1 is widely known, and it originally means “to jest.” When it combines with the chant of Dies Irae, it marks the creation of the Skeleton Dance, and it also brings the piece to an end." (Alan Chan)
Zae Munn
Sound sample
Scored for six
performers, each with a multi-percussion set-up consisting of
indefinitely pitched instruments (tom-toms, wood blocks, triangles,
etc.), this work would offer a challenge for the intermediate to
advanced college level ensemble. While no one part is overly
difficult, a large dose of musical finesse is required by all to realize
the overall subtle musical intricacies of the work. college.
“This
is one of the best percussion ensemble pieces I have ever heard. In the
first place, (Munn) uses the percussion melodically, not for
effect.
I can hear a motif, development and melodic shaping of lines.
It's almost singable. (Munn) is very sensitive to percussion colors and
textures, which differentiates the treble, tenor and bass levels of the
various instruments with extreme clarity. The piece is more melodic and
generally musical than many pieces I hear for winds or strings. (Munn)
has a natural feel for the nature of percussion.” . . . Michael
Colgrass
Phillip Mikula
Sound sample
Challenging,
rhythmically vibrant work scored for five percussionists and a conductor
who performs intermittently with the ensemble, as well. Lots of space to
feature a drum set soloist. Instrumentation: vibraphone, timpani (4),
drum set, chimes, orchestra bells, marimba and a variety of small
percussion instruments. adv. high school/college.
Waltz for Marty
$22.95
Marcus Reddick
Sound sample
Scored for six percussionists, this
is an accessible piece for the less experienced ensemble, yet more
advanced players will have fun with it as well! Instrumentation:
triangles (5), finger cymbals, snare drum, tambourines (2), bongos, bass
drum, floor tom, wood blocks (3), concert toms (4), cymbals (sizzle &
ride) & gankoqui (or two cowbells). Jr. high - college.
Robert
J. Damm
"World Beat," in the title of this
ensemble, scored for six players, refers to an eclectic form of
contemporary music in which many diverse ethnic styles of music are
combined. "Sonata," refers to a three-part design (ABA) in which the B
section is a free development of the A section. This is an up-tempo work
that pairs an African slit drum, talking drum and rattles with Western
instruments such as triangle, woodblocks, cymbal, timpano and flexitone
and makes use as well of "found" urban instruments such as tin can, saw
blade, metal crasher and metal mixing bowls. This is a unique work that
builds on numerous ostinato patterns, fun to play and easy listening for
audiences. adv. high school/college.
