commissioned by BLUESHIFT Percussion Quartet
Program Notes: NOLA – BÉLA – SOWEGA for percussion quartet was inspired by the New Orleans brass band tradition and the rhythmically vibrant works of Béla Bartók. The work follows Bartók’s signature arch form (ABCBA) and seeks to be a virtuosic showpiece for mallet percussion in a manner similar to the finale from Bartók’s fourth string quartet. The driving ostinati of New Orleans funk and second-line traditions are used throughout with a brief intervening of a motive from Concerto for Orchestra in the guise of “night music” during the middle of the work. All this is filtered through the composer's own unique background from Southwest Georgia (SoWeGa). This piece was commissioned by and dedicated to BlueShift Percussion Quartet. |
Purchase at C. Alan Publications
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