what clarity? (Perc Ens version) - Dave Hollinden [DIGITAL]

The popularity of Dave Hollinden's multiple percussion solos resulted in much anticipation for his concerto for percussion & percussion ensemble, what clarity?. Set in two large sections, it is a true tour de force for both the soloist and the ensemble.

Genre: Percussion Ensemble + Solo Multi-Percussion | # of Players: 12 + 1
Series: Hollinden Signature Series
Level: Advanced | Duration: 18:00 + cadenza

Instrumentation
Conductor's Score (9"x12" spiral bound)

Percussion Ensemble:
Glockenspiel, Xylophone, Chimes, Crash Cymbal
Vibraphone 1
Vibraphone 2
Marimba 1 (4-octave)
Marimba 2 (4-octave)
Marimba 3 (4-octave)
Marimba 4 (5-octave)
Timpani
Percussion 1: sizzle cymbal, 2 China cymbals, opera gong, tambourine, castanets, slapstick, triangle, crotales (2 octaves), Chimes (shared), Xylophone (shared)
Percussion 2: crash cymbal, splash cymbal, opera gong, tambourine, claves, slapstick, sandpaper blocks, triangle, vibraslap, shaker
Percussion 3: China cymbal, 2 suspended crash cymbals, splash cymbal, ratchet, 3 woodblocks, tam-tam
Percussion 4: 2 bass drums, thunder sheet, tam-tam, log drum, maracas

Soloist:
Snare Drum
6 Tom Toms
Hi-hat
Tambourine with head
Almglocken
2 Cowbells
2 Temple Blocks
2 Wood Blocks
3 Bell Plates
2 Brake Drums
Metal Pipe
Tibetan Prayer Bowl
Tibetan Prayer Cymbal

Program Notes
The piece opens slowly (mm=44) and quietly, with sparse orchestration and the soloist on snare drum (Introspective). There is a gradual increase in tempo and energy leading to rhythmic dialog between the snare drum and a large mallet choir formed from nearly the entire ensemble (Resolute, determined). This erupts into a fff tutti at a ponderously slow tempo over which the soloist performs virtuosic snare drum passage work in double time (With great commotion). This large body of sound eventually collapses, dissolving into a very quiet and softly shaped section for Timpani, low marimba, vibraphone and the Soloist on metal instruments (Spent, vulnerable).

A brief chordal section (Sober, solemn) leads to the second half of the piece, which is based on brisk, angular rhythmic themes and in which the Soloist utilizes the full multi-percussion setup in dialog with the ensemble. Sections for full ensemble and Soloist (Bracing, with a sudden burst of energy and Playful) are followed by rhythmic passage work for the mallet choir alone (Anxious, demanding), and finally a short duet for Timpani and the Soloist on High-hat (Persistent, determined). The final section (Precise, confident) distills the harmonic and rhythmic elements of the piece by means of rhythmic dialog between the full ensemble and the Soloist on a large, low Tom Tom.