Aztec

Gackstatter explores the ancient mysteries of the Aztec people with this exciting work for wind ensemble. The driving, percussive multi-meter vigor that characterizes most of the piece is broken up by several free, aleatoric sections, utilizing many special vocal effects, including the horrifying Aztec death whistle.

Genre: Band | # of Players: Standard
Level: 4 | Duration: 6:05

Instrumentation
Piccolo
Flute 1
Flute 2
Flute 3
Oboe
Bassoon
Solo B-flat Clarinet
B-flat Clarinet 1
B-flat Clarinet 2
B-flat Clarinet 3
Bass Clarinet
Alto Saxophone 1
Alto Saxophone 2
Tenor Saxophone
Baritone Saxophone

F Horn 1
F Horn 2
B-flat Trumpet 1
B-flat Trumpet 2
B-flat Trumpet 3
Trombone 1
Trombone 2
Bass Trombone
Euphonium
Baritone T.C.
Tuba

Timpani (3 drums)
Xylophone
Vibraphone
Marimba (4-octave)
Percussion 1 (mark tree, suspended cymbal, hi-hat)
Percussion 2 (shaker, timbales, tambourine)
Percussion 3 (shaker, low tom, conga, bongo)
Percussion 4 (4 concert toms)
Percussion 5 (concert bass drum)

Program Notes
The Aztecs were a highly advanced and powerful civilization. Using psychological warfare when attacking an enemy, the Aztecs would charge while blowing on death whistles, which make a sound like human screaming. Death whistles are also used in Day of the Dead processions and rituals to this day. This piece depicts the warfare and the celebration after a victory.