Passover's Falling

Passover's Falling is a dramatic work for 6 players has the percussionists performing only on two marimbas (one 4-octave and one 5-octave) and from one small multiple percussion set-up. Practical and extremely effective!

Program Notes

The Rosewood Bible encompasses a series of eight compositions based on Biblical highlights, beginning with Eden for solo marimba, and ending with Revelation for percussion duo and piano. Each piece may be performed separately, or the entire series of works may be performed in order as a programmatic representation of the Holy Bible.

Passover’s Falling is the second installment in The Rosewood Bible series, and represents the story of the original Passover…one of the Bible’s most gripping and tragic events. In response to the Egyptian Pharaoh’s refusal to abolish the slavery of the Israelites, the angel of death passes over Egypt and kills the firstborn son of every home that isn’t sheltered by God.

Told from the perspective of an Israelite family, the piece strives to capture the anticipation, edginess and fear that these families must have experienced as the shadow of God passed over them.

Grade Level: 3
Copyright: 2015
Number of Players: 6
Duration: 5:20
Publisher: C. Alan Publications
Type: Sextet
Category: Percussion

Listen to Recordings

Instrumentation

Percussion 1 (4-octave Marimba)
Percussion 2 (4-octave Marimba, Glockenspiel)
Percussion 3 (4-octave Marimba, Low Tom, Concert Bass Drum, Suspended Cymbal)
Prcussion 4 (5-octave Marimba, Glockenspiel, Low Tom, Concert Bass Drum, Suspended Cymbal)
Percussion 5 (5-octave Marimba)
Percussion 6 (5-octave Marimba)

*Only two marimbas are required (one 4-octave and one 5-octave).
**All of the other instruments are shared.