Cores Norte/Sul

This two-movement work paints a sonic landscape filled with exotic timbres and evocative sonorities. The first movement uses extended techniques throughout the ensemble in order to create an ethereal atmosphere. The second movement juxtaposes rhythmic ostinati in the keyboards against a driving groove in the percussion section. Cores Norte/Sul is a fun and challenging piece that is sure to delight audiences and performers alike.

Genre: Percussion Ensemble | # of Players: 13
Level: Difficult | Duration: 11:00

Instrumentation
Player 1 (crotales, sleigh bells, lion's roar, snadpaper, whistle)
Player 2 (glockenspiel, 2 woodblocks)
Player 3 (xylophone, ratchet)
Player 4 (chimes, spring coil, triangle, mark tree, slapstick, guiro, suspended cymbal, bass drum)
Player 5 (vibraphone, ratchet)
Player 6 (vibraphone, Chinese cymbal)
Player 7 (4.3-octave marimba)
Player 8 (5-octave marimba)
Player 9 (5-octave marimba)
Player 10 (5-octave marimba)
Player 11 (4 timpani)

Player 12 (Chinese cymbal, triangle, suspended cymbal, tam-tam, bell tree, 2 woodblocks, sizzle cymbal, bongos, cowbell w/ foot pedal, caxixi, conga, high cowbell)

Player 13 (flexatone, lion's roar, concert bass drum, 2 glass bottles, water gong, finger cymbals, key chimes, guiro, floor tom, repique, hi-hat, pedal bass drum, splash cymbal, tam-tam, suspended cymbal)

Program Notes
When my wife returned from Brazil after her first visit I asked her what was different about Brazil. She answered: “the colors.” I tried to capture in Cores Norte/Sul two distinct regions that have different rhythms, instrumental combinations, and timbres. Yet, the two movements are performed without a break as if they belonged together. I guess I don’t notice some of these visual and cultural differences because they have become part of my reality: a South American living in North America.
– Ricardo A. Coelho de Souza

About the OU Percussion Press
In 1977 the OU Percussion Orchestra and Ensemble embarked on a project that developed into a national model for the encouragement and development of new music for percussion ensemble. The OU Percussion Ensemble Commissioning Series regularly engages outstanding composers to write works for this medium. The Commissioning Series is responsible for the creation of some of today`s staples in the percussion ensemble repertoire.

In 1983 the University of Oklahoma funded the establishment of the OU Percussion Press, a non-profit extension of the percussion area. Through the Percussion Press, the commissioning series compositions plus other works expressly written for the OU Percussion Orchestra and Ensembles have been made available for purchase and performance by the world`s leading percussion ensembles. The Percussion Press` catalog numbers more than 50 works, all published in a non-profit venture as a service to the profession.