Miller, A.-Revelation (SP)-V/Cro./M/P/PN(accomp.)

Revelation by Adam Miller strives to capture the danger, chaos, and contrasting beauty of the second coming of Christ, resulting in a multi-themed work that shifts as quickly from one motif to the next as each aspect of Armageddon is revealed. An eerie, uneasy theme conveys confusion and fear, which transitions into a fast-paced, panic-driven multiple percussion duet. This entire section makes the listener feel as though the players are out of control, particularly through the solos, which make liberal use of duples, triples, and quintuplets that often contrast with the triplet time kept by the other player. The piano shifts the mood from panic to barely controlled anxiety, as the vibraphone and marimba cast a sinister pall on the music. This is followed by a purpose-driven speed, conveying a sense of alarm tempered by need, and is finally calmed by the lyrical beauty of God. During this section, syncopated accents and occasional mixed-meters portray a lack of solid time and control. The final transition recapitulates to the first theme, representing those left behind.

Number of players: 3
Difficulty: Intermediate

Instrumentation

Player 1: Vibraphone, crotales, ride cymbal, suspended cymbal, 3 toms, gong, bass drum, brake drum, bongos (high)
Player 2: Marimba (5-octave), bass drum, 5 toms, hi-hat, ride cymbal, suspended cymbal, bongos (low)
Player 3: Piano