NYSD: Orchestral Suite for Solo Snare Drum

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Composer Name

Anthony Cirone

General Info

Year: 2001
Duration: c. 7:00
Difficulty: (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Alfred
Cost: Score and Parts - $0.00   |   Score Only - $0.00

Movements

I. Allegro Maestoso
II. Adagio Sentito
III. Scherzo Tocatta
IV. Allegro Grandioso

Instrumentation

Snare Drum

Program Notes

Tony Cirone has dedicated his new contest solo for solo snare drum to Charles Dowd. This exciting and interesting piece incorporates many odd time signatures, musical phrasing, and original ideas that Tony thought of while visiting New York City.

NYSD was commissioned by Charles Dowd. His request was for a snare drum work for recitals that went beyond the normal one-page etudes that are now used for recital performances. Many students were combining various etudes from Portraits in Rhythm for this purpose, so the idea of a 4-movement work was excellent.

The inspiration came from the standard 4 movement symphonic form – a fast 1st movement, a slow 2nd movement, a lively scherzo for the 3rd movement and a climatic 4th movement to end the work. The 1st movement of the suite is an etude that is similar to those found in Portraits in Rhythm. It opens with a grand introduction of the theme which is developed throughout the movement. The 2nd movement is played with snares off and contains thematic material borrowed from Gustav Mahler. The 3rd movement explores the timbre of the snare drum and uses both the normal, center and edge areas of the head with snares off, as well as playing on the rim to create sound patterns not normally found in classical snare drum solos. The 4th movement is the most challenging and again is written in the spirit of etudes found in Portraits in Rhythm. NYSD was written while spending a summer in Greenwich Village in New York City, thus the title NYSD (New York Snare Drum).

Review

“NYSD: Orchestral Suite for Solo Snare Drum” is a wonderful addition to the solo concert snare drum literature. Written in four movements, this piece explores several moods and a variety of technical issues. Movement one, “Allegro maestoso, Allegro robusto,” begins with a short introduction that moves to a vigorous theme. A second theme, at a slightly slower tempo, includes crescendos from piano to forte. Theme one returns in an abbreviated form. The movement ends with a molto ritard and is marked “perdendosi” as it fades to ppp. Movement two, “Adagio sentito,” is shorter and begins in 2/4 with snares off. A middle section is played at a slightly faster tempo and the piece ends at the original tempo. Movement three, “Scherzo toccata,” involves notation indicating four sounds: center of head; edge of head, right side; edge of head, left side; and on rims. Sticking indications are given where needed. The movement contains much mixed meter but the tempo remains constant throughout. Movement four, “Allegro grandioso, Presto vivo,” is a fitting climax to the suite. It is written in an ABA form with distinctly contrasting sections. The piece ends with commanding rhythmic flourishes alternating between 9/8 and 3/8. As with Cirone’s solos in his classic book Portraits in Rhythm, this suite shows a high level of musical craft and inventiveness. The music makes high demands on the performer in the areas of dynamics, phrasing, technique and control. Percussionists looking for recital material for snare drum that has depth and is different than the standard rudimental or drum corps fare will find this piece to be challenging and musically fulfilling. - Tom Morgan, June 2004

Recent Performances

premiere: 7 April 2001, Eugene, Oregon, Northwest Percussion Festival, composer as soloist

June 5, 2009 - Nicholas Newhouse, Master Recital, Emporia State University

May 13, 2011 - Elizabeth Kosko, Senior Recital, Emporia State University
To submit a performance please join the TEK Percussion Database

Works for Percussion by this Composer

1. REDIRECT Template:Anthony Cirone Works