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Three or More Percussion With Piano Durations are in parenthesis:
 THE BIG BANG (1992) for six percussion and piano. This work in 2 movements is a musical representation
of the “Big Bang” theory of the creation of the universe which
contends that our ever-expanding universe began as a colossal explosion
at a single point in space. During the first movement, The Creation, all musical development grows out of an initial blast of sound. Waves
of sound mass gradually crystallize into definite pitches leading to the
formation of the natural harmonic series. 12-tone fragments intertwine
and gradually coalesce into perceptible melodies. This musical development
is analogous to the formation of compounds, amino acids, etc. Midway through this movement the “spark of life" is introduced
in an abrupt shift of musical activity which undergoes continuous development
to the end of the movement. The second movement, Dance
of Life, is a joyous celebration of life. Percussion
distribution: Perc. 1: suspended cymbals, brake drums, cowbells, temple blocks, tam-tam
& sand blocks; Perc. 2: Orchestra bells, roto toms &
triangle; Perc.3: Flexitone, timpani, wind chimes, bongos
& a thunder sheet (or a large tam-tam); Perc. 4: Xylophone,
suspended cymbal, bass drum & chimes (tubular bells); Perc.
5: Marimba, anvils (metal pipes may be substituted), tambourine,
finger cymbals & triangle; Perc. 6: Vibes, chimes
(tubular bells) shared with player 4, snare drum, suspended
cymbals & tam-tam. (18’) Grade V.
Sound Samples from the First Movement:
Sample 1A.mp3; Sample
1B.mp3; Sample 1C.mp3;
Sound Samples from the Second Movement:
Sample 2A.mp3; Sample
2B.mp3; Sample 2C.mp3
View on YouTube at The Big Bang: I.“The Creation” and II."The Dance of Life"
Music available from Cimarron Music Press
Percussion Music Index:
Click on an instrumentation link, works are listed in alphabetical order within each category.
Solo percussion - unaccompanied
One percussion with one other instrument or voice
Two percussion with one other instrument
Three or more percussion with piano
Percussion ensembles
Percussion in chamber music
Howard J. Buss, Composer
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Percussion Music, online graded catalog. Product description: Percussion: Solos, Duos, Ensembles, Chamber Music, and Recordings |