Secrets
General Info
Year: 1990
Duration: c. 6:00
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: crotales(1 oct.), vibraphone, tubular chimes, triangles(3), gongs(3), suspended cymbals(4), auto brake drums(4)
Program Notes
Secrets was written in April and June of 1989. It is for six percussionists, all playing metal instruments. I wanted to create a unified percussion ensemble where the kinds of instruments played by the group would be made of the same material. Secrets is 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: Secrets 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
In this piece, timbre is very important; therefore, the composer has been specific about instrumentation, mallet choices and Îeffect' sounds such as a Îbowed' crotale. As in Totem, rhythmic precision between parts is necessary for a steady tempo throughout."
On the whole set (also includes Totem and The Way of the Animal Powers): "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
- SF 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