Improvvisato Contrasto

Improvvisato Contrasto is a work for solo timpani that is intended to be performed as if being improvised. Symphonic influences are apparent in the piece with nods to Debussy's La Mer and Puccini's Madame Butterfly.

Program Notes

Improvvisato Contrasto is similar to my Rhapsody No. 2 in that it is intended to be performed as if being improvised. I grew up improvising on percussion and it is very much a part of my composition style today. Rhapsody No. 2 (a more aggressive piece in general) forms an arc and this piece is through composed and uses more subtle changes of color and tempo to find its expression.

Being a timpanist by trade, it is hard to not let some symphonic references find their way into my compositions. Two such references are found at the beginning of this piece. The swelling major second Roll found in the opening bars reminds me of Debussy's La Mer. Even though it might not be very obvious at first, the main theme presented in bars 7-15 reminds me of Puccini's Madame Butterfly. (Puccini is my favorite opera composer.)

Grade Level: 4
Copyright: 2013
Number of Players: 1
Duration: 11:00
Publisher: C. Alan Publications
Category: Solo Works

Listen to Recordings

Instrumentation

Timpani (4 standard-sized drums)