Download the score – Concerto for Timpani

Instrumentation

• Timpani Soloist
  • 5 drums (32”, 29”, 26”, 23”, 20” or equivalent sizes)
• Player One
  • Bass drum
  • Snare drum
  • Woodblock (low)
  • Chinese cymbal
  • Tom-toms (5 drums, lowest relative pitches)
• Player Two
  • Vibraphone
  • Sizzle cymbal
• Player Three
  • Temple Blocks (5)
  • Glockenspiel
  • Xylophone
  • Chimes
• Player Four
  • Marimba (4.3 octave)
  • Triangle
  • Suspended cymbal (large – with bow)
• Player Five
  • Marimba (5 octave)
  • Suspended cymbal (small)

Program Notes
The concerto takes the soloist on a circular journey through two connected contrasting movements. The first movement is slow and contemplative with no interaction between the soloist and ensemble. The ensemble is transformed throughout the movement by gradually swapping the pitched and non-pitched materials. The second movements rapid textures are initiated by the soloist and developed in the ensemble. Various portions of the rapid texture are highlighted and deconstructed as the movement progresses. After the climax, a timpani cadenza ends the piece in a familiar place.
This piece won the UK Percussion Ensemble Composition Contest in 2007.