Hungarian, Op. 39, No. 12 [MacDowell] (Perc Ens 10)

Originally composed for piano solo, as the last piece in a set of 12 etudes published in 1890, Hungarian is a short and energetic work that translates perfectly to a percussion ensemble orchestration. Scored for 10 players including five keyboard percussion parts, timpani, and four players on cymbals, snare, concert toms, and accessory percussion, each note of the MacDowell piano score is retained, while the additional voices add punctuation and driving rhythmic figures befitting of the Presto tempo.

Genre: Percussion Ensemble | # of Players: 10
Series: N/A
Level: Intermediate | Duration: 2:00

Instrumentation
Conductor's Score (8.5"x11" booklet)

Bells & Xylophone
Vibraphone
Marimba 1 (4-octave)*
Marimba 2 (4-octave)
Marimba 3 (5-octave)*
Timpani (3 drums: 32", 29", 26")
Percussion 1: Crash Cymbals
Percussion 2: Triangle, Woodblock, Tambourine
Percussion 3: Snare Drum
Percussion 4: 4 Concert Toms, Impact Drum

*Marimba 1 & 3 may share one 5-octave instrument

Program Notes
Originally composed for piano solo, as the last piece in a set of 12 etudes published in 1890, Hungarian (Op. 39, No. 12) is a short and energetic work that translates perfectly to a percussion ensemble orchestration. Scored for 10 players including five keyboard percussion parts, timpani, and four players on cymbals, snare, concert toms, and accessory percussion, each note of the MacDowell piano score is retained, while the additional voices add punctuation and driving rhythmic figures befitting of the Presto tempo. All of the keyboard parts are playable with two mallets throughout and bounce between rapid scalar passages and aggressive chordal ensemble statements. The drum and non-pitched percussion voices subtly support the melodic content of the work while adding flashes of color and impactful punches to climax moments within the work. This is an ideal work for intermediate to advanced ensembles looking for a captivating overture to open or close a performance.

Brigham Young University Percussion Ensemble, Directed by Matt Coleman