Groovelocity - Till MacIvor Meyn [DIGITAL]

Composed for the "Percussion Art Ensemble," this advanced work for three players has it all: a jazz feel, a mysterious section, perpetual motion, a more abstract section, and a fast section with a driving finish.

Genre: Percussion Trio | # of Players: 3
Level: Medium | Duration: 10:55

Instrumentation
Percussion 1 (crotales, claves, mounted tambourine, snare drum, temple blocks, large tam-tam, splash cymbals, cymbals, triangles, small ice bell, tom-toms, pedal bass drum, large bass drum)

Percussion 2 (vibraphone, hand-held tambourine, tin cans, large tam-tam, splash cymbals, cymbals, triangles, small ice bell, cowbells, brake drum, bongos, conga)

5-octave Marimba

Program Notes
Groovelocity was composed for the Percussion Art Ensemble; my collaboration with the trio of players helped to shape the piece. The title, a combination of two dynamic words, embodies the spirit of the work.

The rhythm and melody of the opening section contribute to a jazz feel. The mysterious opening builds to a louder, short transition, which then leads to a section of perpetual motion for the marimba. At the center of the composition is an abstract, slow downshift from the preceding turmoil. A luminescent chordal texture gives way to a return of the opening material, which is developed in various ways. A fast section in compound meter then gathers intensity through a thickening rhythmic texture and rising marimba line. The energy increases through a section with offbeats and fast rhythms, and the work closes with pounding vibraphone, marimba, and toms in a driving finish.