Con Moto

Augusta Read Thomas

General Info

Year: 2018
Duration: c. 6:00
Difficulty: (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Nimbus
Cost: Score and Parts - $0.00   |   Score Only - $0.00

Instrumentation

PERCUSSION 1:

• Glockenspiel - Every note is “L.V. Molto” for the entire composition unless otherwise notated. (4 mallets needed)
  
• Crotales (lower octave) every note is “L.V. Molto” for the entire composition.
  
• 2 Conga Drums (Lower in pitch than the Bongos that you are playing)
  
• 2 Bongo Drums [Higher in pitch (i.e.: tight skins) than the Congas.]
  
• Ride Cymbal
  
• Chinese Splash Cymbal
  
• Triangle (very large) every attack is “L.V. Molto” for the entire composition unless otherwise notated.
  
• 2 Cowbells (Medium and High)
  
• 2 Woodblocks (small and large)- Please use very resonant instruments.
  
• Ratchet (mounted)
  
• Cabasa (mounted)
  
• Tambourine (mounted but also able to be picked up)
  
• Egg Shaker (mounted but also able to be picked up)
  

PERCUSSION 2:

• Marimba (4.3 octave) Generally speaking do not play with hard mallets. Soft to medium mallets are always preferred. (4 mallets needed)
  
• Everything below is shared with Percussion 3:
  

• Tubular Chimes (Please use the most “in-tune” set of chimes possible.)
  
• Tenor Drum
  
• Log Drum
  
• Very large tam-tam
  
• Large Suspended Cymbal
  
• 2 Woodblocks (Low and medium)
  
• Guiro (mounted)
  
• Ratchet (mounted)
  
• Maracas (mounted)
  
• 2 Triangles (small and medium)- Every attack is “L.V. Molto” for the entire composition unless otherwise notated
  
• Tambourine (mounted but also able to be picked up)
  

PERCUSSION 3:

• Marimba (5 octave) Generally speaking do not play with hard mallets. Soft to medium mallets are always preferred. 4 mallets needed)
  
• Everything below is shared with Percussion 2:
  

• Tubular Chimes (Please use the most “in-tune” set of chimes possible.)
  
• Tenor Drum
  
• Log Drum
  
• Very large tam-tam
  
• Large Suspended Cymbal
  
• 2 Woodblocks (Low and medium)
  
• Guiro (mounted)
  
• Maracas (mounted)
  
• 2 Triangles (medium and small)- Every attack is “L.V. Molto” for the entire composition unless otherwise notated
  
• Tambourine (mounted but also able to be picked up)
  

PERCUSSION 4:

• Vibraphone (motor is used and motor speeds are indicated in the score and part) (4 mallets needed)
  
• Crotales (upper octave C# and G) every note is “L.V. Molto” for the entire composition.
  
• Tom-tom (low) (Please use drum on the lower end of the pitch spectrum)
  
• 5 Temple blocks
  
• Egg Shaker (mounted but also able to be picked up)
  
• 2 Triangles (medium-large and very small)- Every attack is “L.V. Molto” for the entire composition unless otherwise notated
  
• Tambourine (mounted but also able to be picked up)
  

Performance Notes

Percussion #1 and #4 divide a complete, 2-octave set of Crotales
Percussion #2 and #3 share many instruments, which should be places between the two marimbas.
For Percussion #2 and 3, the Tam-tam and Guiro should be near the chimes.

The score calls for four triangles in the percussion parts. Care should be given to insure that each of the triangles has a slightly different “pitch and color” from one another, so that each of them has a unique contribution to the overall sonic palette and so they blend elegantly with the crotales, glockenspiel, and bell-like sounds. Likewise, the four wood blocks should each have a slightly different “pitch and color” from one another and from the 5 Temple Blocks. Likewise, the 4 bongos and 2 congas should each have a slightly different “pitch and color” from one another.

Unless otherwise specified above or on the score, use most common beater or mallet

Program Notes

Cynthia Mead Sargent is radiant, elegant, brilliant, expressive, graceful, fun, beautiful, generous, sophisticated, and positive. I am humbled by this opportunity to compose a work in her honor. The title CON MOTO hopefully captures the spirit of Cindy’s magnificence, twinkle, positive spirit, motion and energy.

I care about craft, clarity, and passion. My works are organic and, at every level, concerned with transformations and connections. The carefully sculpted musical materials of CON MOTO are agile and energized, and their flexibility allows a way to braid harmonic, rhythmic, and contrapuntal elements that are constantly transformed — at times whimsical and light, at times jazzy, at times layered and reverberating. Across CON MOTO’S six-minute duration, it unfolds a labyrinth of musical interrelationships and connections that showcase the musicians in a virtuosic display of rhythmic agility, counterpoint, skill, energy, dynamic range, clarity, and majesty. Throughout the kaleidoscopic journey, the work passes through various lively and colorful episodes, which propel the musical discourse always with a sense of dance, caprice, and effervescence.

Music’s eternal quality is its capacity for change, transformation and renewal. No one composer, musical style, school of thought, technical practice, or historical period can claim a monopoly on music’s truths. Commissioning new art is leap-of-faith! The commissioner does not know what they will receive. I feel profoundly fortunate for the investments made by Cindy’s children, and I devoted my strongest, most focused efforts to composing CON MOTO in honor of Cynthia Mead Sargent.

Commissioned by the Children of Cynthia Mead Sargent and dedicated with admiration and gratitude Cynthia Mead Sargent on the occasion of her 80th Birthday.

Recent Performances

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Works for Percussion by this Composer

Con Moto - Percussion Quartet
Qi - Percussion Quartet - Marimba Quartet (2 marimbas)
Resounding Earth - Percussion Quartet
Selene - Moon Chariot Rituals - Percussion Quartet, String Quartet
Sun Songs — Three Micro-Operas - Percussion Trio, Mezzo-Soprano Voice