DisArchitecture (Perc Ens 4)

Loosely based on the "deconstructionist" architecture of Frank Gehry, Dave Hall's percussion quartet DisArchitecture takes the listener on a journey through many harmonic and rhythmic textures.

Genre: Percussion Ensemble | # of Players: 4
Level: Medium Difficult | Duration: 9:30

Instrumentation

Player 1
Crotales (2 octaves), Vibraphone, Bells, Snare Drum, Kick Bass Drum
(2 pairs bell/crotale mallets, bow, 1 pair snare drum sticks)

Player 2
Vibraphone, Static Whip, Bongos, Sizzle Cymbal
(2 pairs vibraphone mallets, bow, hard plastic mallet)

Player 3
5-octave Marimba, Prayer Bowl, China Cymbal
(2 pairs yarn marimba mallets, bow)

Player 4
5-octave Marimba, Resonant Metal Bowl, Log Drum (4 pitches), Dark Crash Cymbal
(2 pairs marimba mallets, Hot Rods or similar dowel stick)

Program Notes
DisArchitecture is loosely based on the “deconstructionist” architecture of Frank Gehry. In the summer of 2006 I was fortunate to live across this river from Gehry’s transcendent Guggenheim Museum Bilbao in Spain. Since then, I’ve been fascinated by the imaginative way Gehry reconciles visual chaos and disorder with mathematical elegance and function in his buildings.

Harmonically, the piece revolves around the two tonal centers of E and F. Each center features a four-chord progression embedded in various ways throughout, with one progression ascending to arrive on E (the “up” or “construction” motive) and the other descending to arrive on F (the “down” or “deconstruction” motive). The harmonic material is derived from different permutations and combinations of these motives as they act to subvert or complement each other.

For the various colors, textures, and moods of the piece, I drew specific inspiration from the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao. I sought to emulate the various shapes and visual momentum of this structure, which in some places is smooth and flowing and in others aggressive and angular. DisArchitecture is the product of a year-long fascination with Frank Gehry’s aesthetics and creative process; and my humble musical homage to his work.