Cerulean

Carson Cooman

General Info

Year: 2004
Duration: c. 11:30
Difficulty: Advanced
Publisher: Musik Fabrik Musik Publishing
Cost: Score and Parts - $17.95   |   Score Only - $0.00

Movements

The first movement, Different Purposes, is inspired by the vast diversity of deep-sea life. Musical objects interact with each other and ideas transform each other. Many of these deep sea creatures live in very isolated and solitary environments at the ocean's lowest points. They each exist and pursue their own purposes without any "awareness" of what else is happening around them. However, despite this, they are all existing within a common environmental system and are thus achieving goals together on a larger level.
The second movement, Different Porpoises, is inspired by porpoises and other sea-creatures who "surface", thus providing a link to human land-bound life. The marimba establishes a rhythmic ostinato which (although passed around) remains steady throughout most of the movement.

Instrumentation

Solo

Player I: marimba, crotales, suspended cymbal, 2 "spokes"/bells
Player II: vibraphone (with motor), tubular bells, 3 bowls (indef. pitches), medium-size "water gong" (i.e., gong with bucket of water), 3 roto-toms, conga, bass drum

Orchestra

Flute
Oboe
Clarinet in Bb
Bass Clarinet in Bb
Bassoon
Horn in F
Piano
Violin I
Violin II
Viola
Cello

Program Notes

Cerulean: Double Percussion Concerto (2004) for two solo percussionists and ensemble was commissioned by the Carnegie Mellon School of Music for percussionists Cory Cousins, Mike Perdue and the Carnegie Mellon Contemporary Ensemble, Walter Morales, director. The work is dedicated to them and to Howard Stokar. The work is inspired by the ocean, particularly its greatest depths. The work is in two movements, played without break. The two movements explore the same musical material (a specific collection of twelve pitches) in two very different ways. In the first movement, the material is presented often in row forms -- and harmonies derived from it. In the second movement, a more free approach is used to the material and it becomes more motivic and gestural.

Recent Performances

To submit a performance please join the TEK Percussion Database

Works for Percussion by this Composer

A Prayer in Spring (2012) for Soprano and Marimba
Bearing (Cooman) (2011) for Glockenspiel (Orchestra Bells)
Bells for Pauline (2016) for Chimes (Tubular) and Clarinet
Cerulean - Percussion Duo, Orchestra
Fanfare Canon (2011) for Percussion Trio: Snare Drum, Temple Block, Wood Block
Frequent Flyer (2005) for Alto Saxophone, Marimba, Piano
Gladly, the Cross-Eyed Bear (2000) for Clarinet, Trumpet, Xylophone, Piano
Gridwork (2019) for Taiko Drums, Marimba, and Organ
In memoriam Liana Alexandra (2011) for Flute and Two Gongs
Moon Shards (2007) for Alto Saxophone, Horn, Trumpet, Percussion, Piano
Mountains Like These (2007) for Vibraphone
Night Wind (2021) for Vibraphone and Four Flowerpots (one player)
Sourdough Serenade (2013) for Trumpet and Glockenspiel
Surly Bonds (2009) for Drum Set
There Will Be Stars (2011) for SATB Chorus, Percussion Quartet, Piano
Treasury of Blessings (2015) for SATB Chorus, Hand Drum, and Cello
Where All the Ladders Start (2008) for Trumpet and Vibraphone