Nola-Béla-Sowega (Percussion Quartet)

Nola-Béla-Sowega for percussion quartet was inspired by the New Orleans brass band tradition and the rhythmically vibrant works of Béla Bartók. The work follows Bartók’s signature arch form (ABCBA) and seeks to be a virtuosic showpiece for mallet percussion in a manner similar to the finale from Bartók’s fourth string quartet.

Genre: Percussion Ensemble | # of Players: 4
Level: Medium Difficult | Duration: 8:15

Instrumentation
Percussion 1: Marimba (4.3-octave), Large Concert Tom, Splash Cymbal
Percussion 2: Marimba (5.0-octave), Cabasa/Shaker, Large Concert Tom, China Cymbal
Percussion 3: Vibraphone, 3 Woodblocks, Large Concert Tom, Tambourine (hand-held), Ice Bell, Small Triangle
Percussion 4: Bongos, Kick Bass Drum (w/ pedal), Tambourine (mounted), China Cymbal, Splash Cymbal, Suspended Cymbal, Large Concert Tom, Medium Concert Tom, Sizzle Cymbal, Glockenspiel, Opera Gong, Ice Bell, Ribbon Crasher/Tight Hi-Hat, Cowbell

Program Notes
Nola-Béla-Sowega for percussion quartet was inspired by the New Orleans brass band tradition and the rhythmically vibrant works of Béla Bartók. The work follows Bartók’s signature arch form (ABCBA) and seeks to be a virtuosic showpiece for mallet percussion in a manner similar to the finale from Bartók’s fourth string quartet. The driving ostinati of New Orleans funk and second-line traditions are used throughout with a brief intervening of a motive from Concerto for Orchestra in the guise of “night music” during the middle of the work. This piece was commissioned by and dedicated to blueSHIFT Percussion Quartet.