Six/Eight Scherzo

James Rago

General Info

Year: 1976
Duration: c. 2:00
Difficulty: (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: CPP/Belwin
Cost: Score and Parts - $0.00   |   Score Only - $0.00

Instrumentation

Player I: Xylophone
Player II: Snare drum, tom-tom
Player III: Suspended cymbal
Player IV: Bass drum
Player V: Timpani(4)

Program Notes

Review

This intermediate quintet is scored for xylophone, snare drum/tom-tom, suspended cymbal, bass drum and four timpani. The meter of 6/8 with two bars of 9/8, a tempo of dotted-quarter = 152 and extensive syncopation make this work move to the upper end of "intermediate." The xylophone part includes some double-stops, some syncopation and many rhythmic figures that begin after a downbeat 8th rest. The drum part includes flams and ruffs, some syncopation, a few rolls, but limited movement between the drums. The cymbal part includes various note lengths (requiring accurate damping), some rolls and a long syncopated ostinato pattern. The bass drum part includes both short and long notes as well as an extended, syncopated ostinato pattern. The timpani part includes a few rolls, some syncopated patterns and rhythmic figures that begin after a downbeat 8th rest, but no tuning changes. The score and parts are very clearly marked with all performance directions. The overall dynamic range is ppp to fff. This work is recommended for a "quickie" (about two minutes) program opener for high school or university - John Baldwin

Recent Performances

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Works for Percussion by this Composer

Allegro for Percussion (Rago) - Percussion Sextet
Etude in Latin Style - Percussion Septet
March for Percussion (Rago) - Percussion Quintet
Nails - Percussion Sextet
Presto - Percussion Sextet
Rhythmic Statements - Percussion Quintet
Simulating Assimilation - Percussion Quintet
Six/Eight Scherzo - Percussion Quintet