Astrand-Finding Fossils (version 1: 17 perc.) (SP)-2B/4V/2Cro./2

Composing music is comparable to finding fossils. You come across some specimens you like, and realize there must be more just as nice. After a while you have quite a nice collection, and you quest for more becomes more intense and energetic. Some hours later your bag is filled with specimens that give you great pride, and you feel that you really must share these with your friends. The first discovery of Finding Fossils was an improvisation that became the foundation or core idea for the piece. The second "find" was the melody, which came as a logical continuation of the initial improvisation. The piece was commissioned by Professor James Campbell and the percussion ensemble at the University of Kentucky in 2001, and was first performed in Nashville, Tennessee at PASIC. It was composed to include all of the percussion majors at UK as well as the Director of Jazz Studies and Saxaphone/Flute plater Miles Osland.


Number of Players: 18
Difficulty: Grade 5
Instrumentation:

Player I: Flute

Player II: Crotales 1

Player III: Crotales 2

Player IV: Bells 1

Player V: Bells 2

Player VI: Xylophone 1

Player VII: Xylophone 2

Player VIII: Vibraphone 1

Player IX: Vibraphone 2

Player X: Vibraphone 3

Player XI: Vibraphone 4

Player XII: Marimba 1

Player XIII: Marimba 2

Player XIV: Marimba 3

Player XV: Marimba 4

Player XVI: Finger Cymbals, Suspended Cymbal

Player XVII: Finger Cymbals, Bongos

Player XVIII: Finger Cymbals, Udu Drum

Anders Astrand regularly performs recitals and gives clinics throughout the US and Europe, both as a soloist and together with his percussion ensemble Global Percussion Network. Anders Åstrand has several times performed at PASIC (Percussive Arts Society International Convention). In his compositions, Åstrand focuses on improvisation as an essential feature for soloists as well as the ensemble. In addition to mallet music, Åstrand has been commissioned to composes for brass quintets, saxophone quartet, choirs, and big band.