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Percussion in chamber
music
(The works are listed in alpabetical order, durations are in parenthesis.)
AMERICAN PHOENIX (2001) for solo bass trombone (or tuba) and 4 percussion. Please see the listing under percussion ensembles.
Video on YouTube
Music available from Cimarron Music Press
CAPRICCIO (1986) for clarinet, trombone & one percussion. The overall structure is related to sonata-rondo form. The
frolicking Exposition unfolds only to be interrupted by a chorale-like
episode followed by a paraphrase of the opening “thematic” material.
The development section consists primarily of cadenzas for the percussionist,
trombonist, and clarinetist.The clarinet cadenza is abruptly interrupted
by the percussionist and trombonist leading to a section in Dixieland
style. Capriccio subtly pokes fun at the pyrotechnical characteristics exhibited by many
contemporary compositions and the same time hints at a parallel with similar
elements in Dixieland and jazz.The instrumentation includes tom-toms, snare drum, tambourine, suspended
cymbals, cowbells, triangle, tam-tam, bell tree, one timpani, vibes
& bells. "Frolicking and freewheeling with
12-tone Dixieland to boot!" - The London Times (13’) Grade
VI.
Sound Samples:
Excerpt 1.mp3; Excerpt .mp3; Excerpt 3.mp3; Excerpt 4.mp3; Excerpt
5.mp3
- Video on YouTube
Music available from Cimarron Music Press
THE BIG BANG (1992) for
6 percussion and piano. Please see the listing under percussion ensembles.
View on YouTube at The Big Bang: I.“The Creation” and II."The Dance of Life"
Music available from Cimarron Music Press
COEXISTENCE (1979) for
clarinet and four percussion. Please see the listing under percussion ensembles. View on YouTube
Music available from Cimarron Music Press
CONSTELLATIONS for flute, piano, and percussion (1 or 2 players). The forward thrust, narrative quality, and ambience of the music suggest the musicians are on a wondrous journey exploring a series of varied and colorful star systems. The juxtaposition of agitated chromatic passages and tonal, focused sections is analogous to the experience of viewing up-close, seemingly chaotic space "debris" (dust, rocks, gas, etc.) as contrasted with the beauty and exquisite organization of star systems viewed from afar. (13’15”) Grade V-VI.
YouTube performance - Music available from Cimarron Music Press
CROSSROADS (2011) for 4-part trombone choir and 8 percussion. Please see the listing under percussion ensembles.
View at CROSSROADS YouTube Video
Music available from Cimarron Music Press
DREAM SEQUENCE (1987) for
trombone and four percussion. Please see the listing under percussion ensembles. View on YouTube
Music available from Cimarron Music Press
ECLIPSE for flute, oboe, clarinet, trumpet, horn, trombone, and three percussion was composed in 1974. There is a feeling of suspense throughout during this musical representation of a solar eclipse.
Sound Samples: Excerpt
1.mp3; Excerpt 2.mp3 - Video on YouTube
EMANATIONS for two bassoons and drum set was written for the 2016 IDRS Conference, is in 3 movements: Variegated Anticipation, Serenit, and Faceted Radiance. The percussionist uses a standard drum set. (17’) Grade V.
Score Samples: Percussion set-up & Info.pdf; Movement_1.pdf;
Movement_2.pdf; Movement_3.pdf
Music available from Cimarron Music Press
EMANATIONS for two euphoniums (or euphonium & tuba) and drum set is in 3 movements: Variegated Anticipation, Serenity, and Faceted Radiance. It is dedicated to Patrick Nyren and was premiered by him and Chris Kaltenbach on euphonium, and Michael Serbantez on percussion in 2016 at New Mexico State University. The second euphonium part is easily played on a tuba. The percussionist uses a standard drum set. (17’) Grade V.
Sound samples: Movement 1.mp3; Movement 2.mp3; Movement 3.mp3
Music available from Cimarron Music Press
ESCAPADE (1991) for alto
sax and 4 percussion. Please see the listing under percussion ensembles. View on YouTube
Music available from Cimarron Music Press
GLACIAL VISTAS (2013) for flute, clarinet & one percussion was inspired by the composer’s visit to Glacier National Park in Montana during 2011. The 3 movements, Dawn, On the Trail, and In the Realm of Twin Falls, capture the awe-inspiring grandeur and beauty of the rugged landscape. Glacial Vistas is dedicated to flutist Dr. John Bailey. It was premiered in 2013 at the University of Nebraska by him; Diane Barger, clarinet; and Anthony Falcone, percussion.
(15’15”) Grade V-VI.
Sound Samples: Movement 1.mp3; Movement 2 Excerpt.mp3;
Movement 3 Excerpt 1.mp3; Movement 3 Excerpt 2.mp3
Video on YouTube
Music available from Cimarron Music Press
INTO EACH LIFE (1997) for flute,
cello, piano & one percussion was commissioned by The Florida Flute Association and the
Brannen-Cooper Fund as a tribute to the renown flutist Albert Tipton.
This work is in 2 main sections, the first juxtaposes
lyrical and turbulent passages. The final section takes the form of a
joyous fugue. The instrumentation includes vibes,
orch. bells, cymbals, tam-tam, bongos, wood block and tambourine.
(11’) Grade V.
Score Sample.pdf; Percussion Set-up
Chart.pdf
Sound Samples: Excerpt 1.mp3; Excerpt
2.mp3; Excerpt 3.mp3
- YouTube video
Music available from Cimarron Music Press
MODERN TIMES (1995) for narrator,
flute, and four percussion (words and music by Howard
J. Buss) Please see the listing under percussion ensembles.
Video on YouTube
Music available from Cimarron Music Press
MYSTERIOUS EXIT (1993) for flute and 4 percussion. Please see the listing under percussion ensembles. View on YouTube
Music available from Cimarron Music Press
REFLECTIVE JOURNEY for horn and percussion quartet. Please see the listing under percussion ensembles.
Music available from Cimarron Music Press
RENDEZVOUS for 4 Bb trumpets & one percussion was composed for and premiered at the 1994
International Trumpet Guild Conference. It opens with a stirring
fugue which is followed by an intriguing series of passages featuring contrapuntal
writing and the use of ostinati. The work culminates in an exciting finale. Percussion:
suspended cymbals, temple blocks, tam tam, tomtoms, and finger cymbals. The percussion writing employs primarily 2 mallet technique with some
use of 4 mallets on the xylophone. Rendezvous was premiered during
the 1994 ITG Conference by percussionist David Collier and trumpeters James
Ketch, Charles Gates, Roy Griffen and Craig Hurst. (8’) Grade
V.
Sound Samples: Excerpt 1.mp3; Excerpt 2.mp3; Excerpt 3.mp3
Video on YouTube
Music available from Cimarron Music Press
SONIC FABLES: “Lessons from Aesop” (1991) for brass quintet and one percussion. Entertaining musical
representations of six of Aesop’s famous fables are presented between
a Prelude and Postlude. The texts of the fables may be used as written program
notes or may be recited by a
narrator prior to performing the respective movement. Because of the
programmatic subject matter and the engaging spirit of the music, Sonic
Fables works well with all types of audiences, including those
of children. It is frequently used as a feature number by professional
ensembles on school programs. Percussion: suspended cymbals, temple blocks, snare drum, tomtom, triangle, tambourine,
wind chimes, xylophone & tam-tam. The percussionist has numerous
solos during the composition as well as an extended cadenza. The total
duration is about 17 minutes; however, the 8 movements may be performed
in smaller groupings. (18’)
Grade V-VI.
Sound Samples: Prelude.mp3;
The Hawk and the Nightingale.mp3;
The Middle-Aged Man and His Two Mistresses.mp3;
The Cat and the Rooster.mp3;
The PipingFisherman.mp3;
The Fox and the Leopard.mp3;
The Lion and the Bear.mp3; and Postlude.mp3
Music available from Cimarron Music Press
SPANISH MEMOIRS
(2004) for solo trumpet & percussion quartet. Please see the listing under percussion ensembles.
Music available from Cimarron Music Press
SPECTRUM (2015) for solo bass clarinet & percussion quartet. Please see the listing under percussion ensembles.
Video on YouTube
Music available from Cimarron Music Press
THERE IS A SEASON (2008) for Bb clarinet and 2 percussion. The titles of the 2 movements, A Time of War, and A Time of Peace, as well as that of the larger work are derived from Ecclesiastes 3 in the Old Testament of the Bible. This work was written during the Second Iraq War. The first movement has militaristic character with dramatic proclamations culminating in an exciting solo passage for the percussion. The second begins with an atmosphere of apprehension that gives way to a spirited dance-like section.
(13’30”) Grade V-VI.
Score samples: Percussion setup.pdf; Excerpt movement 1.pdf ; Excerpt movement 2.pdf
Sound samples: Movement1A.mp3; Movement 1B.mp3; Movement 2 .mp3
Video on YouTube
Music available from Cimarron Music Press
TWO CAPRICES (2007) for flute, oboe & marimba is a rousing showpiece
in two movements. Evocation moves from the mysterious opening
to a beautiful extended section in a pensive mood. Romp features beautiful
lyricism and spirited rhythms with a Latin flare. Two Caprices was composed
for Drs. Amy Collins, oboe; Kim McCormick, flute; and Robert McCormick, marimba
and was premiered by them at the 2007 International
Double Reed Society Conference.
(10:30) Grade VI.
Sound Samples: Movement 1, Excerpt 1.mp3; Excerpt 2.mp3
Sound Samples: Movement 2, Excerpt 1.mp3; Excerpt 2.mp3 YouTube video
Music available from Cimarron Music Press
VENTURES (2014) for solo euphonium and percussion (1 or 2 players) is dedicated to Patrick Nyren. The 3 movements, Boldly, Introspective, and Go!, demonstrate the incredible expressive range and technical capabilities of the instruments. The percussion setup is designed so that it can be performed by either one or two players. Ventures received its premiere performance in 2014 by Patrick Nyren, euphonium, and percussionists Daniel Lyons and Kenny Goss at New Mexico State University. (14'45") Grade VI.
Sound Samples: Movement 1_excerpt 1.mp3;
Movement 1_excerpt 2.mp3; Movement 2_excerpt 1.mp3;
Movement 2_excerpt 2.mp3; Movement 3_excerpt 1.mp3;
Movement 3_excerpt 2.mp3
View on YouTube Ventures: I. Boldly, II. Introspective, and III Go!
Music available from Cimarron Music Press
WHERE NOW RUSTS THE IRON? (1994) version for high voice, flute, cello, and
6 percussion. Please see the listing under percussion ensembles.
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
Percussion Music, online graded catalog of sheet music.
Product description: Percussion: Solos, Duos, Ensembles, Chamber Music, and Recordings