Through the Grand Canyon

This is a piece that I wrote to personify the beauty and granduer of the Grand Canyon. I decided to write a percussion ensemble piece of this style because I think there isn't enough of it. There is a lot of music concentrating on drums or atonal themes. This is comprised of three interconnected movements named after different aspects of the Grand Canyon.

I. Colorado River
II. Waterfalls
III. View from the Top

The first movement begins after a brief introduction and has a compound meter feel. The second movement is a slow movement that has a main theme, a B theme introduced by a chime solo, and later the merging of the two themes. The last movement brings back the melodies of the first movement but with a simple meter feel, and then at the end brings back the main themes from the second movement in half time. I hope you enjoy listening and I'm up for any criticism or reviews that any of you may have!
Click here for the mp3.

Great work, I love this style. I definitely imagine flowing water with the rhythms. I didn't hear any atonal part. What instruments are used in this percussion ensemble? The sound quality is amazing, is this rendered from the computer or is it live? This is the most exciting work I've heard on this site in a long time. What are some names of other percussion ensemble pieces I should listen to? I'm intrigued by this style, which reminds me of music from Ocean documentaries. 10/10

Sorry it's taken me a while to reply, I've been busy with school and auditions. Thank you so much for your opinion! I'm so glad you like it! In this piece there are 4 marimbas, 2 vibraphones, a glockenspiel, chimes, a xylophone, timpani, and accessory instruments. This is an mp3 made from Finale 2005. One piece that has similar instrumentation and style to this is called Stained Glass by David Gillingham. Most of Gillingham's pieces are like this also. His music is on c-alanpublications.com. Thanks again for your interest in my piece!

I had a listen to this piece when I visited your website, Viet. I must say it is an enjoyable listen, oh - the title is a really great one. Fits like a glove! I would like to hear it played live too. I am verily glad I listened to this one, a percussion ensemble is always a joy!!

Your friend,

*slimey sig*

Blenching Snail

Just more praise really! Sounded really good, really liked all of it.

If I had one word of advice it would be to try and avoid short repeated notes on finale mp3s makes it sound like machine guns. The second section is by far my favourite has such an ethereal sound, it definitely captures the grandeur of The Grand Canyon. Can't really hear any atonal themes though all sounds quite diatonic!

Good work

That was a good listen. Easy on the ears, grand indeed. I think that you portrayed the grand canyon well enough.

The percussions were good. Interacting nicely with the melody.

BTW, when you say "through the Grand Canyon" do you mean by flight? It sure sounds so

a score would be nice to examine.