The Floating Bubble

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Composer Name

Ronald George

General Info

Year: 1995
Duration: c. 20:22
Difficulty: (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: [[]]
Cost: Score and Parts - $0.00   |   Score Only - $0.00

Instrumentation

Tambellan - American Gamelan. and Soloist

Program Notes

RonGeorge’s The Floating Bubble (1995) is the first work composed for the Tambellan,his unique American gamelan. Scored for a Tambellan ensemble of sevenpercussionists, and a soloist (George), the work is based on a very slowlyevolving rhythmic/timbral structure that culminates in a loud climax. Followingthis climax is a short solo, which allows improvisation, and a section playedon bamboo keyboards. Then the slowly evolving rhythmic/timbral structurereturns and continues to the end of the work.

The Floating Bubble is a process piece where only a very basicrhythmic structure is given. The composer simply demonstrates for theperformers what is to be played in each section. It is not possible to play awrong note as the microtonal scale used is a homogenous one. Every note is partof the timbral/harmonic structure of the work. For the performers, the mostdifficult aspect of the piece is learning where to go within the Tambellanensemble and what to play when you get there. —RG

Commercial Discography

CD produced by RonGeorge, Judy Liggett, Scott Fraser, and Jim Fox

           Recordedby Scott Fraser, Architecture, Los Angeles, CA; California Institute of theArts, Santa Clarita, CA; and Ron George’s studio, Los Angeles, CA .

           Sleepand Waking © Smith Publications; score available from the publisher.

           GuptaSloka Chand © John Bergamo. The Floating Bubble © Ron George.

           Fundingfor this CD was provided by the National Endowment for the Arts, The AaronCopland Fund for Music, Scott Fraser, and Jim Fox.

           CDp 2008 innovaRecordings.  innova is supported bythe McKnight Foundation.

PhilipBlackburn: Director. Chris Campbell: Operations Manager. www.innova.mu

Recent Performances

To submit a performance please join the TEK Percussion Database

Works for Percussion by this Composer

Chamber Music II (George) - Percussion Duo; Double Bass (2)
Music for a Favorite Person - Vibraphone; Clarinet
Music for Clarinet and Vibraphone - Vibraphone; Clarinet
Music in Five Movements - Vibraphone; Clarinet
The Floating Bubble - Percussion Septet; Soloist - American Gamelan
Variations on a Butterfly - Multiple Percussion