The Way of the Animal Powers
General Info
Year: 1989
Duration: c. 3:30
Difficulty: (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Non Sequitur
Cost: Score and Parts - $15.00 | Score Only - $0.00
Movements
Can be played in a series in the following order:
Totem
Secrets
The Way of the Animal Powers
Instrumentation
Player I - VI: 4 bongoes, 4 timbales, two sets of 4 tomtoms, and two sets of 3 timpani
Program Notes
The Way of the Animal Powers was written in December of 1989. It is for six percussionists, all playing instruments with skin heads. I wanted to create a unified percussion ensemble where the kinds of instruments played by the group would be made of the same material. The Way of the Animal Powersis part of a trio of percussion sextets which operate under this principle.
Musically the piece deals with issues of mythology and ritual, which have been influencing my music from time to time for a while. I find these influences difficult to portray in strictly instrumental works, particularly since I wish also to remain true to other artistic instincts which I think are important (and perhaps necessary) for my music. That being said, writing for percussion gives one probably the easiest ensemble with which to evoke feelings of ritual, mythology and all their correlating concepts.
Note: The Way of the Animal Powers can be performed separately or as part of the above mentioned trio of percussion sextets. If all three are played, the order of the pieces is Totem, Secrets, and The Way of the Animal Powers.[1]
Review
On The Way of the Animal Powers: "The performers should carefully observe all mallet indications. Additionally, rhythmic precision between voices and within unison sections is extremely important."
On the whole set (also includes Totem and Secrets): "All three of Heuser's works would be appropriate for college-level or professional players. Heuser is tireless in his experimentation with sounds and timbres; therefore Totem, Secrets, and The Way of the Animal Powers are worthwhile for performers and audiences alike." - Lisa Rogers February 1997[2]
Errata
Awards
Commercial Discography
Recent Performances
- University of Wisconsin-Green Bay Contemporary Percussion Ensemble (December 2006)
- St. Olaf Percussion Ensemble, Carl Holmquist, conductor (November 2004)
- University of Miami Percussion Ensemble, Dr. Ney Rosauro, director (October 2003)
- St. Cloud State University Percussion Ensemble, Dr. Terry Vermillion, director (March 2002)
- USF Percussion Ensemble, Robert McCormick, conductor (November 1996)
- University of Iowa Percussion Ensemble, Mark Dorr, director (May 1992)
To submit a performance please join the TEK Percussion Database
Works for Percussion by this Composer
Baby Toys - Percussion Quartet
Blow Up - Multiple Percussion
Blow Up (MIDI) - Multiple Percussion
Five Views of the River - Marimba Duo
Flood - Marimba/Vibraphone; Flute or Clarinet
Flood (Duo) - Percussion Duo
Going to Vermont - Marimba (Amplified); with Tape
Not here, but there - Percussion Ensemble (12)
Secrets - Percussion Sextet
Still Life with Fruit - Multiple Percussion; Flute
The Way of the Animal Powers - Percussion Sextet
Totem - Percussion Sextet
Additional Resources
References