Nathan Daughtrey
10 Players
Instrumentation: Percussion 1 (Bells, Tambourine), Percussion 2 (Chimes, Snare Drum, Xylophone), Percussion 3 (Vibraphone, Temple Blocks), Percussion 4 (Vibraphone, Bongos, Congas), Percussion 5 (4-octave Marimba, Medium Concert Tom, Tam-Tam), Percussion 6 (4.3-octave Marimba, Medium Low Concert Tom), Percussion 7 (4.3-octave Marimba, Low Concert Tom), Percussion 8 (5-octave Marimba, Low Concert Tom), Percussion 9 (Wind Chimes, Suspended Cymbal, Small China Cymbal, Sandblocks, Triangle), Percussion 10 (Bass Drum, Tam-Tam).
The work opens rather mysteriously with fragments of the tune thrown about the ensemble and echoes of the bodhran (a traditional Irish drum) emulated by a dampened bass drum. A raucous drumming section ensues and gives way to the first full presentation of the reel. What follows is a series of melodic, rhythmic, and harmonic transformations of the Irish tune – some quite playful, some beautifully melancholy, and some majestically resolute.
