Levitate
for 6 percussionists
Levitate is an homage to the works of the great percussion composer Daniel Levitan. Many of Levitans' works attempt to attack the percussionist's perpetual nemesis: note length. Levitan controls this aspect of performance by notating when the performer should dampen each note. I have taken this concept and implemented it into a new chamber composition for 6 undetermined instruments. The nine rules of Levitate are as follows:
1. Use 6 instruments constructed out of as dissimilar materials as possible.
2. These materials could include wood, metal, skin, glass, stone, plastic, etc.
3. All instruments should have a similar resonance of about 2-3 seconds.
4. Each instrument should be paired with an implement that achieves a uniformity of attack across the ensemble.
5. Each performer holds their striking implement in the right hand. These sounds are notated with regular noteheads.
6. The left hand performs muting. These mutes are notated with 'x' noteheads.
7. Mutes should only stop resonance, note create their own sound.
8. Staccato notes are to be struck while muting.
9. Composite rhythms are shown for hocketing help.
Levitate is available for purchase for $20. Please contact me through the contact page on this site or at [email protected] for more info.
1. Use 6 instruments constructed out of as dissimilar materials as possible.
2. These materials could include wood, metal, skin, glass, stone, plastic, etc.
3. All instruments should have a similar resonance of about 2-3 seconds.
4. Each instrument should be paired with an implement that achieves a uniformity of attack across the ensemble.
5. Each performer holds their striking implement in the right hand. These sounds are notated with regular noteheads.
6. The left hand performs muting. These mutes are notated with 'x' noteheads.
7. Mutes should only stop resonance, note create their own sound.
8. Staccato notes are to be struck while muting.
9. Composite rhythms are shown for hocketing help.
Levitate is available for purchase for $20. Please contact me through the contact page on this site or at [email protected] for more info.
