Gentle Giant-On Reflection arr. Forsthoff (SP)-B/V/C/X/4M /4T/DS/P

Gentle Giant was an English Progressive Rock band most popular from 1973-1980. The song On Reflection originally appeared on Gentle Giant's 1975 studio album Free Hand and later in a live setting from 1977 on their 1978 live album Playing the Fool. The Live version contained substantial changes in both form and material from the Studio version, as was typical of live renditions of Gentle Giant's music. A similar live performance from 1978 is available on the DVD GG at the GG (2004). My arrangement for percussion ensemble attempts to utilize all of the musical material from both versions of the song and combine them into a single logical setting. Typical of Gentle Giant's music, On Reflection features intricate four- and five-part vocal harmonies juxtaposed with complex instrumental arrangements. In my arrangement, all of the vocal parts are re-created by the marimba choir. Other instruments are imitated or substituted as necessary. In the case of On Reflection, there are numerous references to performance practices dating all the way back to Renaissance music, including obscuring of meter and mode mixture. All of the constituent musical elements from both versions of the song are present, although the part for any given instrument may not adhere strictly to original parts or vocal lines. Certain adjustments were necessary for both practical and aesthetic reasons. Nevertheless, it is my hope that this arrangement serves to provide an enjoyable ensemble experience and to broaden exposure to Gentle Giant's fantastic catalogue of music.
-Kyle M. Forsthoff

Number of players: 7-13
Difficulty: Intermediate/advanced

Instrumentation

Player 1: Glockenspiel
Player 2: Xylophone
Player 3: Vibraphone
Player 4: Marimba 1 (3 octave)
Player 5: Marimba 2 (4 octave)
Player 6: Marimba 3 (3 octave), chimes
Player 7: Marimba 1 (5 octave)
Player 8: 4 timpani
Player 9: Snare drum, suspended cymbal
Player 10: Crash cymbals, triangle
Player 11: Bass drum
Player 12: 4 temple blocks, medium gong, sleigh bells, tambourine
Player 13: Drum set