Song of Middle Earth

Marimba/Multi-Percussion Feature

This piece is filled with the excitement of rhythmic animation that is unique to the percussion orchestra and the color of the harmonic pallet achieved with keyboard percussion.

Program Notes

Inspired by J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings: I. I Dreamt of the Dragon, II. The Drums of Moria, III. Recitative: Dark Towers, IV. Unto Long Glory. More so than any other composition by Daniel McCarthy, this piece is filled with the excitement of rhythmic animation that is unique to the percussion orchestra and the color of the harmonic pallet achieved with keyboard percussion. You can hear a recording of Song of Middle Earth on Daniel McCarthy's CD, “Song of Middle Earth” (also available from C. Alan).

Grade Level: 4
Copyright: 1995
Number of Players: 8 + Piano & Solo Percussion
Duration: 16:35
Publisher: C. Alan Publications
Type: With Soloist
Category: Percussion

Listen to Recordings

Instrumentation

Solo Instrumentation (marimba (4.6 octaves), 5 toms, 4 metals, 3 tam-tams, 3 cymbals)

Mallet 1 (4.3-octave Marimba)
Mallet 2 (4.3-octave Marimba, Crotales, Bells)
Mallet 3 (4.3-octave Marimba, Vibraphone)
Mallet 4 (5-octave Marimba)
Percussion 1 (6 toms, 2 tam tams, clavesm bell tree, congas, sleigh bells, triangle, wood block)
Percussion 2 (Rack: 2 bongos, 2 timbalis, snare drum low tom; afuche, bells, castanets, finger cymbals, suspended cymbal, tam tam, temple block, wood block)
Percussion 3 (bass drum, castanets, claves, crash cymbals, finger cymbals, tam tam, maracas, sand paper, slap stick, suspended cymbal,triangle, vibraslap, water gong, high and low woodblock)

Timpani
Piano