Volcan de Fuego (2014)
Percussion Quartet, 4 players (7')
Program Notes
Volcán de Fuego is a work for percussion quartet inspired by my trip to Guatemala in the summer of 2013. During a stop at La Antigua, I witnessed the incredible sight of the three massive volcanoes surrounding the rustic, colonial city and could not keep myself from imagining the awesome, raw power these massive giants could emanate. I hoped to convey these three volcánes in the work through the substantial use of bombastic three-note motives and groupings. The title, however, refers to the only dangerous active volcano of the three - "volcano of fire" - which has posed a serious threat to La Antigua throughout its history.
Volcán de Fuego was premiered by the TCU Percussion Ensemble on April 14, 2014.
Instrumentation
Percussion 1 (Congas, Bongos, Opera Gong or other Low Resonant Metal, Crash Cymbal)
Percussion 2 (4 Toms, Metal Plate or other High Resonant Metal, Crash Cymbal, shared China Cymbal)
Percussion 3 (Field Drum, Snare Drum, Ribbon Crasher or other Med. Low Resonant Metal, Crash Cymbal, Splash Cymbal, shared China Cymbal)
Percussion 4 (Bass Drum, Low Tom, Brake Drum or other Low Medium Resonant Metal, Crash Cymbal)