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Fourscore was commissioned by the University of Wisconsin Music department and was premiered on May 6, 1985. This composition fits in with most of Bazelon's works in regards to juxtaposition of musical elements. The use of unusuall timbres and techniques is common in the composition. This quiote from Bazelon sums up the general character of the piece.
"I like fast over slow, high over low, loudness to softness. I'm a dramatic composer. My music snarls rather than caresses, but I am not afraid to write a melody."
Number of Players: 4
Difficulty: Grade 6
Instrumentation:
Player I: Wood Block, Large Cowbell, Guiro, Suspended Finger Cymbal, Suspended Cymbal, Triangle, Bell Tree, Japanese Wood Chimes, Claves, Snare Drum, 5 Temple Blocks
Player II: Wood Block, Tam-Tam, Log Drum, Snare Drum, Bongos, 2 Bongos, 2 Tom-Toms, Tenor Drum, Bass Drum
Player III: Vibraphone, Chimes, Tam-Tam
Player IV: Marimba
A composer of both concert and film music, Irwin Bazelon (1922-1995) created works that are rhythmically complex and driving, often influenced by jazz and featuring brass and percussion.
Born in Evanston, Illinois, Bazelon began his education at DePaul University in Chicago. He then studied composition with Paul Hindemith at Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut for a short time, after which he went to Mills College in Oakland, California to work with Darius Milhaud.
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