Instrumentals

Composed by Clifton Taylor for solo marimba with percussion ensemble. Solo performed by Jason Baker, percussion ensemble audio electronically rendered by Tapspace Publications.

Concertpiece For Marimba and Percussion Ensemble

LIVE performance from historic Hill Auditorium in Ann Arbor. 

This performance features the McIver Quartet [Marjorie Bagley and Katherine McLin, violins, Scott Rawls, viola and Alexander Ezerman, cello] and the University of Michigan Symphony Band with Michael Haithcock, conducting.

Short Stories is a string quartet concerto commissioned by the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, The University of Michigan, The University of Texas, Northwestern University and the University of Colorado and dedicated to Kevin Geraldi.

Approximately 21 minutes long and scored for string quartet, winds and percussion.

View perusal score here: joelpuckett.com/Puckett_Short_Stories_perusal
Part I:

1.	Somewhere near the end [tutti]
2.	Introit [quartet]
3.	The Priests [viola and cello duet]

Part II:

4.	Recitative [quartet]
5.	mother and child [violin duet]

Part III:

6.	sonno agitato [ensemble alone]
7.	The Bridge [cadenza] [quartet]
8.	Ma Fin [tutti]

Program Note

“There will come a time when you believe everything is finished;
that will be the beginning.”

— Louis L’Amour, Lonely on the Mountain

What makes the construct of the short story itself so unique among other literary devices is the demands placed on the author to create a meaningful narrative. They must describe the relationships between characters, present a conflict, and resolve it in a remarkably short span. It takes a deft writer to cleverly craft within these restrictions, and yet some have pushed the genre further by creating collections of stories that seem at first disparate, but eventually are revealed to be intertwined. Much like these painstakingly crafted works of literature, Joel Puckett’s Short Stories is a study in structure. On the surface, it bears the appearance of eight vignettes strung together into a concerto for solo string quartet and wind ensemble. Upon listening, however, the work’s movements reveal themselves as inextricably linked through a layered thematic language that plays out through a sort of “game of pairs.”

The external movements of the work serve as a frame story, not unlike Chuck Palahniuk’s novel Haunted, which the composer cites as an influential on the structure of the work. Between the external movements, Puckett presents three pairs of linked movements. Each of these sections highlights two of the solo voices, featured at the section’s conclusion with a virtuosic duo cadenza. The final internal grouping—the sixth and seventh movements—takes the independent duo cadenzas and superimposes them. It is only at this climactic moment that we hear that the concerto’s primary theme—the basis for both the first and last movements—is the combination of the elements within these cadenzas. In a sense, the entire work evolves from the constituent solo playing of its stars.

The opening—amusingly titled “Somewhere near the end”—introduces the notion of pairs in its own way. There is diametric conflict between both the soloists and the ensemble as, until the end of the movement, the two groups play almost exclusively in isolation. The harmonic language likewise poses friction, first hinting at the unbridled optimism of D major, and almost immediately thereafter shattering it with a tempestuous dissonance of extended harmonies in G minor. The effect is that of a series of dramatic wailings that set the stage for the players.

The first internal section, comprising the movements “Introit” and “The Priests,” is based on ancient liturgical materials. The introit itself is a part of the Proper of the Catholic mass, and this placid movement also presents a part of the Mass’ Ordinary by way of a “Kyrie,” passed from instrument to instrument in the movement’s center. The dramatic beginning of “The Priests” is a stark contrast with its bold chorale scored solely for brass and saxophones, and the rhythmic ostinato from the low strings (“Regina Coeli”: a reference to the antiphon to the Virgin Mary). Complex mixed meters dominate the pulse as a punchy homophonic accompaniment supports the vivid rhythms of the soloists.

The contrasting middle pairing (“Recitative” and “mother and child”) has a basis in Baroque opera, modeling a recitative and aria. “Recitative” serves mostly as an introduction, with a sparse accompaniment of vibraphone, celesta, and harp. The opening of “mother and child” expands the instrumentation to include the woodwinds and horns, dancing about gracefully with a patient, yet lilting tempo. This middle section is the longest single segment of the piece, and harmonically the most static, as it floats past slowly in a cloudy, dreamlike E-flat major. The gentle caress of the violin duet is both captivating and endearing throughout.

The tonal center of E-flat remains for the sixth movement, but little else is held as the pleasant dream of the middle section is roused by “sonno agitato”—literally, “restless sleep.” This movement, solely for the ripieno, harkens back to the most tumultuous moments of the first movement. The pulse quickens unrelentingly and the ensemble spills over, out of control, into “The Bridge,” a cadenza for the concertino. Here the previous duo cadenzas are pressed into conflict with each other in a manner that seems incompatible and dissonant. As the soloists play together, however, the argument between them is sated and they begin to find a synergy in their florid and virtuosic variations. The energetic realization of the work’s opening motive ushers in the ebullient “Ma Fin” (a nod to Machaut’s rondeau “Ma fin est mon commencement”—literally, “my beginning is my end”). This finale starts with a return to the first movement, but this time, the soloists come together as one and, with a battering of thirty-second notes, breaks through the restlessness of the ensemble and forces them back on track into the brilliant opening, finally moving together toward their happily ever afters.

—Jacob Wallace

Short Stories [string quartet concerto] UMICH LIVE

The original Juilliard version from 1996. For triple string quartet.

Tree

Middle movement excerpt from the viola sonata 'Deep Sky Blue', from Deubner-Fauchet Duo's soon-to-be-released CD.
Brett Deubner, viola | Caroline Fauchet, piano

Deep Sky Blue - ii. Simply

Performed by the U.S. Marine Band on Feb. 2, 2014 at Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall and Arts Center in Alexandria, VA
Maj. Jason K. Fettig, conducting
http://www.marineband.marines.mil/AudioResources/WebExclusives.aspx#newmusic
©2003 OK Feel Good Music

Chunk

Sheet music available from Tapspace at http://www.tapspace.com.

Some Things - Mvt. 3 (Eric Willie)

The title It's in 4 comes in the form of an answer to a question that was posed during a parade in which this cadence was utilized to "coordinate" the footsteps of the performers. In this case, the performers were the members of the Santa Clara Vanguard, the questioner was an SCV staffer (who shall not be named), and the "questionee" was drumline instructor Murray Gusseck. The dialog went something like this: "That sounds like $&#. What $*%*#@^ meter is that in??"

Gusseck's answer became the new name for the cadence. And now It's in 4 has been refurbished and shined up with new life for your listening and downloading pleasure. Clocking in at over two minutes, this behemoth has some old school and some new school mixed together that would challenge anyone. The piece has been tweaked for increased playability and less ticks, so don't be afraid to dive in and start swimming.


It's in 4 (Murray Gusseck)

"POOF! You're loose!" was what Scott Johnson used to say to the members of SCV's 1992 drumline when they complained about needing to warm up. This old-school 60-second warmup was then marching member Murray Gusseck's tip of the aussie to Scott and the gang. Don't let the phrase "old-school" fool you though...POOF! runs the rudimental gamut in short order, so have your chops at the ready!

POOF! (Murray Gusseck)

The word "scintilla" was originally Latin for "spark." It is currently defined on dictionary.com as a minute amount; hint, trace, or particle. Newcomer Andrew Ziehm's Scintilla for marching battery ensemble has a hint of some spark, alright…lots of it. The phrase, "It's all in the details" seems apropos when listening to this sophisticated work by a very young composer.

The piece effortlessly mixes 6/8, 4/4, and 7/8 and keeps dancing the whole time. Particularly scintillating bits are during the 6/8 sections where the interplay between snares, tenors, basses, AND cymbals create not so much a theme as a vibe. Very cool stuff!


Scintilla (Andrew Ziehm)

Josh Brickey raises the battery etude bar a couple notches higher with Seven Is Heaven. Brickey masterfully weaves in and out of 7/8 time in a way that is at once both complicated and groovy. Performers must master both density and dynamics in order to get a grip on the piece. From start to finish, you'll get more than your fill of notes with this one…and a healthier understanding of odd time signatures to boot. Kudos Josh!


Seven Is Heaven (Josh Brickey)

Champion snare drummer Jeff Queen serves up a juicy plate of "get some" with this new parking lot jam for battery entitled Uncle Ted. Performers will have all aspects of their playing challenged--dynamics, density, and rhythmic integrity. Audiences will have their minds blown. Written in the spirit of early 90's warmups (only in 7/8 this time!), the piece goes from single-hand sections to chop-busting hybrid rudiment phrases the whole family can enjoy…especially Uncle Ted! Those swung 16ths are for you buddy!

Uncle Ted (Jeff Queen)

PSY GANGNAM STYLE SPICE MON REMIX

South Kolora (Alex Stopa)

Northwestern University Symphonic Wind Ensemble
conducted by Dr. Mallory Thompson
Pick-Staiger Concert Hall, Evanston IL
April 19, 2013

South Kolora (Alex Stopa)

Tapspace

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