Protaganom (1985)

for Percussion Ensemble (5 players)

Grade 4 • 5:30 • Per-Mus Publications

PROGRAM NOTES

Protaganom is a percussion ensemble composition written for five players each playing a variety of percussion instruments.  

The first movement, Tantara, is rhythmic and spirited, and features the xylophone with a quasi sabre dance melody.  Movement two, Pasquinade, contains a jazzy texture utilizing a blues melody containing chromatic passages, all the while played in a swing style.  To contrast the previous movements, the final movement, Epic, establishes a different precedence over melodic material by limiting the musical pitches to G, C, and E flat, the notes of a C minor triad.  To achieve melodic interest, the three notes are given various groupings.  In most instances, it is the pattern of G, C and E flat that creates momentum and sustains interest

INSTRUMENTATION

Percussion 1: snare drum, triangle

Percussion 2: wood block, triangle, tambourine, suspended cymbal, chimes, timbales (or 2 concert toms)

Percussion 3: timbales (or 2 concert toms), bass drum, wood block, triangle, vibra slap

Percussion 4: Timpani, sand paper blocks

Percussion 5: Xylophone, triangle, chimes, tam-tam, vibraphone (or xylophone), tambourine