This is the set of the full score and the two solo parts. The ensemble parts are on rental from the publisher.
I. Different Purposes
II. Different Porpoises
Cerulean: Double Percussion Concerto (2004) for two solo percussionists and ensemble
was commissioned by the Carnegie Mellon School of Music for percussionists Cory Cousins,
Mike Perdue, and the Carnegie Mellon Contemporary Ensemble, Walter Morales, director.
The work is dedicated to them and to Howard Stokar. The work is inspired by the ocean,
particularly its greatest depths.
The work is in two movements, played without break. The two movements explore the same
musical material (a specific collection of twelve pitches) in two very different ways. In the
first movement, the material is presented often in row forms -- and harmonies derived from it.
In the second movement, a more free approach is used to the material and it becomes more
motivic and gestural.
The first movement, Different Purposes, is inspired by the vast diversity of deep-sea life.
Musical objects interact with each other and ideas transform each other. Many of these deepsea
creatures live in very isolated and solitary environments at the ocean's lowest points.
They each exist and pursue their own purposes without any "awareness" of what else is
happening around them. However, despite this, they are all existing within a common
environmental system and are thus achieving goals together on a larger level.
The second movement, Different Porpoises, is inspired by porpoises and other sea-creatures
who "surface", thus providing a link to human land-bound life. The marimba establishes a
rhythmic ostinato which (although passed around) remains steady throughout most of the
movement.
Instrumentation
Flute
Oboe
Clarinet in Bb
Bass Clarinet in Bb
Bassoon
Horn in F
Piano
2 Solo Percussion:
I: marimba, crotales, suspended cymbal, 2 "spokes"/bells
II: vibraphone (with motor), tubular bells, 3 bowls (indef. pitches),
medium-size "water gong" (i.e., gong with bucket of water), 3 roto-toms, conga, bass drum
(each percussionist needs two bows)
Violin I
Violin II
Viola
Cello
(All players except for the two solo percussion also play "oracle rods" in addition to their instruments.)
PERFORMANCE NOTES:
Accidentals carry through the measure, in the given octave only. Courtesy
accidentals have been added at various places as an aid.
All tremolandi / trills are even and "as fast as possible" --
regardless of the tempo of the music.
"Oracle rods" are small hand-held metal resonators made of a manganese alloy
that produce a high-pitched sparkling, ringing sound when struck. To play
them, grasp the handle and strike the resonating end with the hand. While it is
resonating, move the handle hand to create further vibrations.
In the sections in this work where they are to be played, the players should
strike the rods at random -- not synchronizing with each other in any way.
In situations where oracle rods are not available, any high-pitched bell-like
metal objects can be used. They need not be uniform throughout the ensemble.