Cymbalist, The

Elements of style, melody, harmony, and contrapuntal complexity that delight the ear. Coupled with this "simple march" is the ever-struggling cymbalist who, no matter how hard he/she tries, never quite seems to be able to place the cymbal crashes in the correct spot. With a little explanation to the audience, The Cymbalist can easily be a program highlight!

Genre: Wind Orchestra | # of Players: Standard
Level: 3 | Duration: 2:30

Instrumentation
Piccolo
Flute 1/2
Oboe 1/2
English Horn
Solo Clarinet in Bb 1/2
Clarinet in Bb 1
Clarinet in Bb 2/3
Bass Clarinet in Bb
Contralto Clarinet in Eb
Alto Saxophone in Eb 1/2
Tenor Saxophone
Baritone Saxophone

Trumpet in Bb 1
Trumpet in Bb 2/3
Horn in F 1/2
Horn in F 3/4
Trombone 1/2
Trombone 3
Bass Trombone
Euphonium
Tuba

String Bass

Timpani
Percussion 1 [2 Players] (Bells, Xylophone)
Percussion 2 [2 Players] (Snare Drum, Bass Drum)
Percussion 3 [2 Players] (Tam-Tam, Suspended Cymbal)
Percussion 4 (Crash Cymbals)

Program Notes

At the age of 14, I became the cymbal player in my high school band. The presumption was that, since I was a pianist, I would easily handle the cymbal part. Little did I know that cymbal players spend most of their time counting rests. My attempts to play, when and where needed, were not always successful. These indiscretions often resulted in unprepared “solos” (much to the horror of the conductor). The Cymbalist was composed in memory of those bittersweet days.

- Luigi Zaninelli