Percussion Quartet (Foss)

Lukas Foss

General Info

Year: 1983
Duration: c. 18:26
Difficulty: (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Fischer
Cost: Score and Parts - $0.00   |   Score Only - $0.00

Instrumentation

Player I: Vibraphone, timpano, wood block, chimes, bowl gong
Player II: Vibraphone, timpano, cowbells(2), suspended cymbal
Player III: Vibraphone, xylophone, cymbal, tam tam, gong
Player IV: Vibraphone, xylophone, tom-toms(2), crotale

Program Notes

commission: Claire Heldrich; premiere: 5 November 1983, New Music Consort, Rochester, New York

Review

You arrive at the recital hall a few minutes late and hurry to a seat in the back of the auditorium. Glancing at the program as the players enter the stage, you see that the first work is Percussion Quartet by Lukas Foss. Unimpressed by the title (who would be?), you slump in your seat prepared for who knows what. And then it begins... A bit dramatic for the opening of a music review? Well, Lukas Foss has conceived and written work that is not of the ordinary. Commissioned by Clair Heldrick, the New Music Consort, and the New York State Council of the Arts, Percussion Quartet was premiered on November 5, 1983 by the New Music Consort in Rochester, New York. The work is divided into five sections (or movements) and is written for standard percussion instruments arranged in a unique setup. Four timpani (a standard set) are pushed close together, and two vibraphones, a xylophone, and extraneous un-pitched percussion instruments are arranged around the setup so that each player can move easily from various instruments to the four timpani. Each movement is attached to the following one without a break. The work begins with"Introduction," a soft movement concentrating on density changes within approximate time durations of each bar. The movement ends with all four players bowing the vibraphones. "Song" the next movement, has a more standard conception of time and is slow and lyrical with echos of the melody tossed from player to player. Next the "Recitative;' a series of unison attacks, visual "freezes;' and cadenzas, is written in time durations much like the "Introduction" The fourth movement, "Monsters" (now that's a title!), assigns each performer a timpani and proceeds to have players reaching over and playing all the timpani as well as other instruments. This one will need some rehearsal, but it is quite satisfying both musically and visually. The last movement, "Dance;' is an Allegretto in mix-metered time that combines the melody from the "Songs" and improvisation into a strong rhythmic drive. The piece has an unusual ending with two possibilities depending on audience reaction. Even though Percussion Quartet has been recorded on New World Records (NW330 Stereo), it has to be seen to be fully appreciated. The duration of the composition (between 16 and 18 1/2 minutes depending upon which of the two endings is performed), may, inhibit programming for some ensembles but it would definitely be worth the time. Percussion Quartet is designed for advanced performers and would be an excellent choice for any concert. - Mark D. Ford, Spring 1987

Recent Performances

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Works for Percussion by this Composer

Concerto for Solo Percussion and Large or Small Orchestra - Multiple Percussion; Orchestra
Curriculum Vitae with Time Bomb - Multiple Percussion; Accordion; With Tape
Echoi for Four Soloists - Multiple Percussion; Chamber Ensemble
Ni Bruit Ni Vitesse - Percussion Duo
Paradigm - Multiple Percussion; Chamber Ensemble
Percussion Quartet (Foss) - Percussion Quartet