The Big Bang (Buss)
General Info
Year: 1992
Duration: c. 18:00
Difficulty: Grade V-VI (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Brixton
Cost: Score and Parts - $38.50 | Score Only - $0.00
Movements
I. The Creation
II. Dance of Life
Instrumentation
Multiple Percussion
Player I: 2 suspended cymbals, 3 brake drums, 2 cowbells, temple blocks, tam-tam, and sand blocks
Player II: Glockenspiel, 5 roto toms, and triangle
Player III: Flexitone, timpani (4), wind chimes, bongos, and a thunder sheet (or a large tam-tam)
Player IV: Xylophone, suspended cymbal, bass drum, and Tubular Bells
Player V: Marimba, 2 anvils metal pipes may be substituted), tambourine, finger cymbals, and a triangle
Player VI: Vibraphone, Tubular Bells which are to be shared with player 4, snare drum, 2 suspended cymbals, and tam-tam
Piano
Program Notes
THE BIG BANG (1992) for 6 percussion and piano by Howard J. Buss. This significant work in 2 movements is a musical representation of the “Big Bang” theory of the creation of the universe which contends that our ever-expanding universe began as a colossal explosion at a single point in space. During the first movement, The Creation, all musical development grows out of an initial blast of sound. Waves of sound mass gradually crystallize into definite pitches leading to the formation of the natural harmonic series. Twelve-tone fragments intertwine and gradually coalesce into perceptible melodies. This musical development is analogous to the formation of compounds, amino acids, etc. Midway through The Creation the “spark of life" is introduced in an abrupt shift of musical activity which undergoes continuous development to the end of the movement. The animated second movement, Dance of Life, is a joyous celebration of life.
This engaging work is appropriate for a college-level percussion ensemble.[1]
Commercial Discography
Recent Performances
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Works for Percussion by this Composer
A Day In The City - Marimba
American Pheonix - Percussion Quartet; Bass Trombone or Tuba
Atmospheres - Multiple Percussion; Trumpet
Behind The Invisible Mask - Multiple Percussion; Bassoon
Boom Time - Multiple Percussion; Trombone
Capriccio (Buss) - Multiple Percussion; Clarinet; Trombone
Coexistence - Percussion Quartet; Clarinet
Crossroads - Percussion Octet; Trombone Choir
Currents - Percussion Trio
De La Madera - Marimba; Oboe
Dream Sequence - Percussion Quartet; Trombone
Escapade - Percussion Quartet; Saxophone
Impromptu - Marimba; Clarinet or Sop. Saxophone
Incantation - Multiple Percussion; Trumpet
Into Each Life - Multiple Percussion; Flute; Cello; Piano
Kaleidoscope (Buss) - Multiple Percussion; Flute
Modern Times - Percussion Quartet; Flute/Piccolo; Narrator
Mysterious Exit - Percussion Quartet; Flute/Piccolo
Night Tide - Marimba; Trombone
Overture for Percussion - (Buss) - Percussion Ensemble
Rendezvous (Buss) - Multiple Percussion; Trumpet(4)
Rite of Passage - Marimba; Flute
Scenes From The Holy Land - Multiple Percussion; Flute
Sci-Fi Percussives - Percussion Ensemble(12)
Sky Blossoms - Multiple Percussion; Flute
Sonic Fables: "Lessons from Aesop" - Multiple Percussion; Brass Quintet
Spanish Memoirs - Percussion Quartet; Trumpet
Stellar Visions - Marimba; Flute
The Big Bang (Buss) - Percussion Sextet; Piano
There Is A Season - Percussion Duo; Clarinet
Two Caprices - Marimba; Flute; Oboe
Wave Train - Marimba; Flute
Where Now Rusts The Iron? - Percussion Quartet; Soprano; Flute; Cello
Additional Resources
References