Bonham

Christopher Rouse

General Info

Year: 1988
Duration: c.
Difficulty: (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Helicon
Cost: Score and Parts - $45.00   |   Score Only - $0.00

Instrumentation

Player 1: 5 Timpani; Suspended Cymbals; Guiro; 2 Log Drums
Player 2: Ratchet; Tambourine; Snare Drum; Vibraslap; Piccolo Woodblock; Conga; Hammer
Player 3: Snare Drum; Bass Drum; Tam-Tam; Woodblock; Maracas
Player 4: 2 Timbales; Suspended Cymbal; Chinese Cymbal; Claves
Player 5: Bass Drum; Tenor Drum; Castanets; Cowbell
Player 6: 4 Tom-Toms; Large Tam-Tam
Player 7: 3 Bongos; 4 Tom-Toms
Player 8: Drum Set

Program Notes

Bonhan is scored for a percussion ensemble of eight players. This work is an ode to rock drumming and drummers, most particularly Led Zeppelin’s legendary drummer, the late John (“Bonzo”) Bonham. The core ostinato of the score, played by the drumset, is reminiscent of Led Zepplin’s When the Levee Breaks, although there are references to other Led Zepplins songs as well, such as Custard Pie and Royal Orleans. In addition, two other sources are cited: The Butterfield Blues Band (Get Yourself Together) and Bo Diddley, whose adoption of the traditional “hambone” rhythm added so much to the distinctive style of his material.

Completed in Fairport, New York on November 13, 1988, Bonham was commissioned by the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston by the Conservatory Percussion Ensemble conducted by its Music Director, Frank Epstein, to whom the is dedicated.

Recent Performances

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Works for Percussion by this Composer

Bonham - Percussion Octet
Falcones Luminis - Percussion Quartet
Der gerettete Alberich - Multiple Percussion; Orchestra
Ku-Ka-Ilimoku - Percussion Quartet
Mime - Snare Drum
Ogoun Badagris - Percussion Quintet