Murmurations-SAMPLE

ADAM BRUCE MURMURATIONS

for percussion trio, two pianos, and video

Murmurations by Adam Bruce © 2022 Tapspace Publications, LLC (ASCAP). All rights reserved.

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TSPCE22-028

PROGRAM NOTES

Murmurations is inspired by the flocking patterns of starlings. The snare and bass drum rhythms, along with the dynamic shaping throughout the piece, are offset by a very small amount of time and pitch. This is accentuated by the three different types of snare drums creating the opportunity to mimic each other while moving together—a murmuration. The harmonic language of the pianos offers both tight pitch clusters and widely spread harmonic voicings presenting a tonal backdrop for this natural phenomenon. Starlings use murmurations both to stay warm and to confuse predators. These uses are depicted throughout the piece primarily by changes of tempo and density of rhythm.

During the video in the middle of the piece, the percussionists are freely interpreting what each one observes on the portion of the screen aligned with their individual position on the stage. This provides them with their own flocking experience of improvisation and motion within the context of a group. Murmurations shares the same inspiration as Vespertine Formations by Christopher Deane. Rather than using the marimba sound, I chose the sonic palette of snare and bass drums.

—Adam Bruce

PERFORMANCE NOTES

• Three different piano accompaniment tracks are provided and may be used in place of live pianists: both pianos mixed, Piano 1 only, and Piano 2 only. A click track is also provided and will be required if using any of the piano accompaniment tracks.

• If using the click track, it gives 16 counts for free at the beginning before measure 1. At the end of the fermata in measure 190, the click track gives four free counts before letter K.

• The percussionists each use a single wire brush beginning at measure 15 and a pair of wooden bundle rods beginning at measure 19.

• From measures 50–65, the “rod click” notation indicates that the player is striking the bottom of the left bundle rod (held horizontally above the drum) with the top of the right bundle rod.

• The video should begin sometime around letter C or measure 69. This is up to the performers. From measures 72–112, the percussionists each use a pair or wire brushes and improvise on the concert bass drum. Each player should freely interpret the portion of the screen that aligns with their physical position in the ensemble: Percussion 1 (piccolo snare), left side; Percussion 2 (concert snare), center; Percussion 3 (field drum), right side.

• In measures 148, 154, and 158, percussionists should crescendo the rim notes but not the bass drum notes.

• While the piece is most effective when performed using the video, it may be performed without video, if necessary. If performed without video, it is possible to shorten the improvisation section (at the director’s or performers’ discretion).

PLAYERS AND INSTRUMENTATION

Murmurations requires 3-5 players with the following instrumentation:

1. Percussion 1 — piccolo snare drum, concert bass drum*

2. Percussion 2 — concert snare drum, concert bass drum*

3. Percussion 3 — field drum, concert bass drum*

4. Piano 1 (or optional audio)

5. Piano 2 (or optional audio)

* may share a single concert bass drum

SUGGESTED SETUP

SUGGESTED SETUP (shared BD option)

NOTATION KEY

P e r c u s s i o n 1 p c c o o s n a r e d r u m c o n c e r t b a s s d r u m

P e r c u s s i o n 2 c o n c e r t s n a r e d r u m c o n c e r t b a s s d r u m

P e r c u s s i o n 3 f e d d r u m c o n c e r t b a s s d r u m

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o 1 o r o p t o n a a u d o

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2022 Tapspace Publications, LLC (ASCAP). All rights reserved.