Bartok-Miraculous Mandarin arr. Ancona (SP)-B/2V/C/Cro./X/3M/5T/

This percussion ensemble arrangement of The Miraculous Mandarin is based upon three movements of Bartok's original work.

The Beginning - A challenging display of technique, timbral variety, and creative orchestration.
The Second Seduction - Featuring the vibraphones, this movement creates a rubato, tense beauty.
The Chase - A relentless conclusion which drives to the ultimate point of release.

This arrangement will challenge performers, and offers a programatic piece which will showcase the versatility of the percussion ensemble's timbral range. It was first performed by the Santa Clara Vanguard Percussion Ensemble in 2000.

Number of Players: 8
Difficulty: Grade 6
Instrumentation:

Player I: Glockenspiel, Marimba, Large Tam-Tam (shared), Chimes

Player II: Xylophone, Crotales, Marimba, Chinese Cymbal

Player III: Vibraphone 1, Marimba

Player IV: Vibraphone 2, Suspended Cymbal

Player V: Marimba 2

Player VI: Marimba 3

Player VII: 5 Timpani

Player VIII: 4 Tom-Toms, Large Tam-Tam (shared), Wind Gong, Medium Gong, 2 small Gongs, Chinese Cymbal, 2 Suspended Cymbals, Sizzle Cymbal, Snare Drum, Ratchet, 2 Zil-Bells, Bass Drum

Béla Bartók is considered to be one of the greatest Hungarian composers and one of the most significant musicians of the twentieth century. He displayed an extreme passion for ethnomusicology. His music was invigorated by the themes, modes, and rhythmic patterns of the Hungarian and other folk music traditions he studied, which he synthesized with influences from his contemporaries into his own distinctive style.