by Jim Casella
12 players
Instrumentation: Crotales, Glockenspiel, Xylophone, Chimes, Vibraphone, 2 marimbas—low A, 4 timpani, Drums (low tom, floor tom, 2 snare drums, 3 roto toms, 4 concert toms, bongos, concert bass drum), Cymbals (6 suspended cymbals, splash cymbal, hi-hat, ride cymbal, sizzle cymbal, 2 China cymbals), Accessories (thundersheet, 2 Zil-Bells, bell plate, anvil, opera gong, 3 cowbells, trash can lid, triangle, bell tree, woodblock, cabasa, slapstick), Tam tam, Piano
An ambitious piece by Jim Casella, Cyclone was written to feature a quartet of marimba players who play on two marimbas that face each other. The parts are all playable with two mallets, and players are frequently called on to reach across to the marimba opposite them. Also, marimbists embark on a literal "cyclone" around the instruments, swapping physical positions with one another and running around the instruments towards the inevitable swirling climax.
Inspired by true accounts of a friend's recent expedition of Mt. Everest, this quartet is accompanied by seven multipercussionists and piano. It depicts both determination and danger, with an implied circular motion by way of quick, repetitive, six-note figures. Complete with echo effects of grandeur and spaciousness, Cyclone is an energetic, cinematic work that becomes relentless and violent. The faint of heart need not apply!
This piece comes with a full, bound score and includes a CD-Rom containing an audio recording and all individual parts available for printing.
