Lift-Off

Russell Peck

General Info

Year: 1966
Duration: c. 8:00
Difficulty: (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Pecktackular
Cost: Score and Parts - $0.00   |   Score Only - $0.00

Instrumentation

Player I: 3 Low Bass Drums or Similar Substitutes
Player II: 3 Low Bass Drums or Similar Substitutes
Player III: 3 Low Bass Drums or Similar Substitutes

Program Notes

premiere: 1966, University of Michigan

Review

Premiered at the University of Michigan in 1966, Peck’s “Lift-Off!” for three percussionists (or more, if added in multiples of three), each playing three drums, including one low bass drum, a medium drum, and a high drum, has earned the status of a “classic” in the percussion ensemble repertoire, and will need no introduction to many readers. This 1998 edition of “Lift-Off!” is published in a neat, legible package of score and parts by Pecktackular Music. The ca. 8-minute work is cast in two sections. The first features rhythms with conflicting accent patterns and metric modulation; in the second section, the three percussionists play unison sixteenth notes, eventually beginning a general crescendo that drives the music to a hair-raising finale. College ensembles that may not have this work in their libraries will certainly want a copy of this 1998 edition. They will also benefit from listening to an outstanding performance of the piece, such as that heard on the ars moderno CD by Percussion Group Cincinnati. - John R. Raush

Recent Performances

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Works for Percussion by this Composer

Harmonic Rhythm - Timpani; Orchestra
In the Garden - Drum Set; Organ
Lift-Off - Percussion Trio
Lion's Breath - Multiple Percussion; Double Bass
The Glory and the Grandeur - Percussion Trio; Orchestra