Medium
|
Full
Symphony Orchestra (plus tambora, brake drum, and metal guiro)
|
|
The Merengue for
Orchestra (2004) is my
first orchestral work, and one of several pieces of mine that are
inspired by the music of Latin America. The merengue (pronounced “me-RAIN-gay”)
is a dance that originates in the Dominican Republic. It is
typically a fast duple-meter dance for couples with an incessant,
pounding pulse and a generally high dynamic level. Its
characteristic rhythms are played on two instruments, the tambora (a
double-headed drum) and the metal güiro (a scraper
instrument). The Merengue for Orchestra features these
characteristic instruments, and it might be considered a percussion
showpiece, as there is an extended section in the middle for percussion
solos. It was written especially for Michael Blaney and the UL
Lafayette Sympony Orchestra, and I thank them sincerely for bringing it
to life. ¡Gracias!
|
