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Concerto for Percussion and Orchestra Op. 36 |
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Instrumentation: |
Percussion, Orchestra (2222 4231 Percussion, Timpani, Strings) Percussion plays the following: Marimba, Xylophone, Chimes, Vibraphone, Glockenspiel, 5 Drums, 5 Roto-toms, Bass Drum, Snare Drum, 5 Cymbals, Sizzle Cymbal, Jing Cymbals, 5 Gongs, Large Gong, Hanging Vibraphone, Stainless Steel Bowls, Temple Bells, Temple Blocks, Rattles, Pot Lids, Soprano Steel Drum. |
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Duration: |
15 to 17 Minutes |
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Premiere Performance: |
October 30, 1987, St. John's, NF |
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Performances: |
March 5, 1991, Toronto, ON (Toronto Symphony) |
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March 6, 1991, Toronto, ON (Toronto Symphony) |
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March 7, 1991, Toronto, ON (Toronto Symphony) |
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March 8, 1991, Toronto, ON (Toronto Symphony) |
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October 26, 1992, Minneapolis, Minnesota. |
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October 27, 1992, Minneapolis, Minnesota. |
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October 28, 1992, Minneapolis, Minnesota. |
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November 4, 1993 Toronto, ON (Toronto Symphony) |
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November 5, 1993 Toronto, ON (Toronto Symphony |
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Sample Performance on CD |
The Premiere Performance |
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Sample Performance Quality: |
Poor |
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Commission Details |
Commissioned by the Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra through a grant from the Canada Council. |
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"...and a roll on the gong", Concerto for Percussion and Orchestra, Op. 36 was commissioned by the Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra through a grant from the Canada Council. The work is in three movements played without pause. The First Movement (Sonata Form) begins with a dramatic Exposition for full orchestra and percussive instruments. This is followed by a polyphonic dialogue between the orchestra and various melody instruments (Marimba, Xylophone, Chimes). The movement closes with a Recapitulation without the Solo Percussion. The Second Movement (Ternary Form) begins with a Vibraphone solo and leads to an improvised middle section for bell-like instruments before recalling the Vibraphone theme in the woodwinds. The Third Movement (Rondo) begins with the Rondo-theme (Brass and full orchestra) followed by three Episodes comprising solos for Drums, a Fugue for Orchestra and various percussive items, and a roll on the gong. The improvised Cadenza for the soloist leads to a final Coda. Although the work was written for a single percussionist, it can be performed by several. |
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The Premiere Performance, St. John's, Newfoundland, October 30, 1987 St. John's Evening Telegram, November 2, 1987: Bernie Yablon. Well, score another first for the Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra - Michael Parker's Concerto for Percussion and Orchestra, Op. 36, subtitled, "...and a roll on the gong". Commissioned through a grant from the Canada Council, this three-movement work was premiered on Friday evening at the Arts and Culture centre, opening the NSO's current season. It's definitely not a small work. In point of fact it calls for so much paraphernalia that roller skates wouldn't have been out of place. As it was, percussion soloist Don Wherry was kept pretty busy scurrying along a row of drums, gongs, cymbals, bells, blocks, marimba, vibraphone and miscellaneous what-nots. At least 30 to 40 feet worth. Under the baton of Mario Duschenes the performance was expert and involved. It earned my respect, admiration and fascination. |
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