Prelude I

Christopher Deane

General Info

Year: 1984
Publisher: Innovative Percussion
Duration: c.
Difficulty: Grade 8
Cost: $12.00

Instrumentation

Timpani

Program Notes

Prelude for Solo Timpani was composed in January of 1984 as a musical gift for Carol L Stumpf, principal timpanist of the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra.

Review

"Prelude I is a timpani solo by percusionist/composer Christopher Deane. Written for timpanist Carol L. Stumpf in 1984, this prelude is almost 10 years old. With a concern for a "positive contribution to the serious repertoire for solo timpani," Deane's prelude is a companion piece to his popular marimba solo "Etude for a Quiet Hall." Staying true to the compositional ideas of "Quiet Hall," Prelude I is an interesting work that is musically challenging. A rhythmic heart beat is the main unifying factor in Prelude I. This pulse occurs in multidimensional ideas are presented around the rhythm. The composer uses a variety of ideas to achieve contrast in both themes and timbre. Different combinations of felt, wood and fingertips are used in conjunction with these themes as they interplay with the main pulse. All of the music is placed in one oversized sheet, and the notation is typical Deane. For those of you not familiar with this composer's music, Deane uses standard notation, but he chooses to not to work within a meter. Some sections of the music incorporate bar lines and some do not. The procedure corresponds to the phrase structure and reflects the flow of the music. The work uses the four standard timpani and lasts approximately seven minutes. Prelude I is not a pedagogical selection for timpani. It is a serious solo work that would be suitable for senior or graduate recitals. It is a welcome addition to the solo timpani repertoire." - Mark Ford

Works for Percussion by this Composer

Mallet Percussion Solo Works

Dis Qui Etude – Vibraphone
Etude for a Quiet Hall – Marimba
In the Sea of Clouds – Marimba
Mourning Dove Sonnet – Vibraphone
Sea of Clouds – Marimba
The Apocryphal Still Life – Vibraphone
The Process of Invention – Marimba
Three Shells – Marimba

Timpani Solo Works

Prelude I – Timpani
Prelude II – Timpani
Prelude III – Timpani

Solo with Ensemble Works

The Titanic Days - Snare Drum; Percussion Septet

Ensemble Works

Almost Perpetual Torque - Mallet Trio
Arcanical Plains - 12 Players
Marimba Quartet No. 2 - Sensing the Coriolis - Percussion Quartet - Marimba Quartet
Scavenger Music – 3 Players
The Manes Scroll – 10 Players
Vespertine Formations – Percussion Quartet - Marimba Quartet