Ostinato Pianissimo

Henry Cowell

General Info

Year: 1934
Duration: c.
Difficulty: (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Peters
Cost: Score and Parts - $39.95   |   Score Only - $0.00

Instrumentation

Player I: Piano
Player II: Piano
Player III: Jalatarang (8 bowls),
Player IV: xylophone
Player V: 2 bongos
Player VI: 2 woodblocks, tambourine, guiro
Player VII: 3 drums (high, med, low)
Player VIII: 3 gongs (high, med, low)

Program Notes

Premiered on a League of Composers Program of Percussion Music, directed by John Cage, Museum of Modem Art, New York, 7 Feb 1943 Ostinato Pianissimo by Henry Cowell may be played by eight percussionists. Only one professional player is needed; this is for xylophone. The "ostinato" of the title refers to the invariant, cyclical rhythms of different lengths assigned to each player. The beginning of the repeat in each section is marked by a cross over the note in each part. This piece requires string piano, which is a term Cowell coined to collectively describe pianistic extended techniques in which sound is produced by direct manipulation of the strings instead of (or in addition to) striking the piano's keys.

Works for Percussion by this Composer

Concerto for Percussion and Orchestra (Cowell) - Percussion Quartet
Ostinato Pianissimo - Percussion Octet
Pulse - Percussion Quintet
Return - Percussion Trio; Wailer
Set of Five - Multiple Percussion; Violin; Piano
Trickster (Coyote) - Multiple Percussion; Flute; Oboe; Dance