Programme Notes / Performance Details :

Duet no. 1 was composed for my Graduate recital at Indiana University in 1988.  Bruce Hamilton played the M.D. Part as I played the Piccolo S.D. one.

It makes ample use of various striking points on the drum (edge, rim, shell, stick shots and rim shots) and of  flams/drags/ ruffs. There are a few rolls (mainly of the open/double stroke kind). It was revised a few years ago prior to its publication and some minor changes were made.

The Duet starts off in unison and after a diminuendo roll both players state the theme which, in fact, pays tribute to Vareses monumental Ionisation.

The introductory section goes on with micro variations, player II turns his snares on while playing and the music becomes denser until a unison is achieved again , this time using rolls and accents.

The middle section is much quieter, with changing meters and with many coloristic effects. Parts of the theme are thrown off from player to the other.   A cannon starts to develop and as it grows the voices grow closer to one another (in a minimal music-like manner) using parts of the theme. Again, a climax is reaches where both players use rolls and accents extensively and then a quick section in sextuplets starts the slowing-down process of the Duet. A question & answer process develops as the energy level is gradually brought down until the music comes to a complete halt.

For more information Click here to login.