Jim Casella's Cyclone is an intense and ambitious piece for marimba quartet with percussion ensemble. The quartet uses two 4.3-octave marimbas facing each other that is split between the four players (with all of the players running around to the different keyboards in one section, creating a literal cyclone).
As for the percussion ensemble that accompanies, this part was inspired by a friend of the composer's expedition to Mt. Everest, and they depict the determination as well as the extreme danger. The ensemble features echo effects of space and grandeur that works to make this work incredibly exciting and relentless. This is not a piece to be taken on lightly, so round up you best of the best and get ready to go on a journey with this piece.
Instrumentation:
- Players 1 and 2: 4.3-Octave Marimba (shared)
- Players 3 and 4: 4.3-Octave Marimba (shared)
- Player 5: Glockenspiel, Suspended Cymbal, Low Zil-Bell, Bell Plate, Low Tom Tom, Anvil
- Player 6: Xylophone, Crotales (2 octaves), Suspended Cymbal
- Player 7: Vibraphone, Suspended, Opera Gong
- Player 8: Piano
- Player 9: Timpani, Suspended Cymbal
- Player 10: Snare Drum, Three Cowbells, Splash Cymbal, Hi Hat, Ride Cymbal, Tam Tam, Trash Can Lid, Floor Tom(more...)
