Bonham by Christopher Rouse is one of the most well-known pieces in the entire repertoire. Featuring a drum set player, this rock and roll in-your-face homage to Led Zeppelin's famous and influential drummer John Bonham uses eight percussionists to blow the audience away.
It's all about the drum set part, which contains grooves and licks from classic Zeppelin tunes When the Levee Breaks, Custard Pie, and Royal Orleans. The other percussionists back up the groove with a multitude of drums and other sounds, including a giant hammer a la Mahler.
Bonham is about 6:00 in duration, most of which is a continual increase in tempo, volume, ensemble layering, and energy. The rhythms on the drum parts are especially complicated and quick, making it a challenge to play cleanly - and everybody needs to count their butts off!
Obviously, you'll need a drummer of considerable skill nail the appropriate feel, tempo changes, and grooves necessary to make this piece a huge statement on your percussion ensemble concert.
Difficulty: Advanced
Duration: 6:00
Difficulty:
- Player 1:
- Timpani (5), Suspended Cymbal
- Guiro, Log Drums (2)
- Player 2:
- Snare Drum, Conga, Tambourine
- Ratchet, Vibraslap, Piccolo Wood Block
- Giant Hammer
- Player 3:
- Snare Drum, Bass Drum, Gong
- Wood Block, Maracas
- Player 4: Timbales (2), Suspended Cymbal, China Cymbal, Claves
- Player 5: Bass Drum, Tenor Drum, Castanets, Cowbell
- Player 6: High Toms (4), Large Gong
- Player 7: Bongos (3), Low Toms (4)
- Player 8: 4-Piece Drum Set
