Revelations

Michael Varner

General Info

Year of Published: 2025
Publisher: C. Alan Publications
Difficulty: Advanced
Duration: 00:08:55
Cost: Score and Parts - $60.00   |   Score Only - $0.00

Movements

1: Sunrise, Boundless Energy
2: Deep under the Ocean
3: Dark Cavern Echoes, Water Drips off Stalactites
4: Darkness, Lost in the Forest
5: Jokingly
6: Branches in the Wind
7: Military Precision
8: Midnight, Ghostly Dark Spirits
9: Aggressive
10: Joyful
Conclusion: Breathless Rushing, Finally Exuberantly Celebrating

Instrumentation

Solo

Instruments: Concert Snare Drum & Piccolo Snare Drum & Field Drum
Sticks: concert sticks & marching sticks & brushes

Ensemble

Player 1: Glockenspiel & Crotales & 2 Wooden Slats
Player 2: Xylophone & Bongos & Congas & Whirly Tube
Player 3: Chimes & Claves (High) & Castanets & 4 Brake Drums & Bird Whistle & Sleigh Bells
Player 4: Vibraphone & 2 Wooden Slats & 4 Clay Pots
Player 5: Vibraphone & Temple Blocks
Player 6: Marimba & Suspended Cymbal (Small)
Player 7: Marimba & Suspended Cymbal (Medium)
Player 8: Marimba & Sizzle Cymbal (Large)
Player 9: Marimba & China Cymbal (Large)
Player 10: Timpani & Triangle & Bird Whistle & Suspended Cymbal
Player 11: 4 Concert Tom Toms & Hi-Hat & Lion’s Roar & Claves (Low) & 3 Wood Blocks & Slide Whistle & Mark Tree
Player 12: Concert Bass Drum & Tam-Tam & Impact Drum & Log Drum & Tambourine

Program Notes

Revelations for percussion orchestra and snare drum soloist combines diverse compositional concepts into an ever-changing tapestry of rhythm and color. Based on concepts of serial composition applied to both pitch and rhythm, the piece takes a relatively disparate combination of 10 pitches divided into 3 groups and over a relentlessly growing pulse “reveals” aspects unique both rhythmically and harmonically. Divided into 10 sections, Revelations begins with the full statement of the 10-note theme and then devolves into disparate individual “journeys,” each highlighting the incredible variety of possible timbres and effects available to both snare drum and the family of percussion instruments in general. Two cadenzas highlight the soloist utilizing everything from hands to the widest variety of implements, including brushes, timpani mallets, and rutes. Each of the 10 sections features a part of the serial pitches insistently growing as the elements seek to become one singular idea. Rhythmically each section offers diversity and creative spirit until the final section unites all the elements into one final rush to redemption of the conflictual energy building throughout. Originally composed on the footprint of Bartók’s “Sonata for Two Pianos and Percussion,” Revelations for percussion orchestra and soloist was commissioned by Jesus Martinez and premiered at the South Grand Prairie 2024 PASIC Showcase Concert.

Recent Performances

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