Berkhout-Running Towards Empty (SP)-B/V/2M/P

Running Towards Empty is organized using a palindromic form with each of the sections marked by a distinct rhythmic ‘fingerprint’. Its basic form is as follows: A B C B A Coda. The first A section’s fingerprint is a steady pulsation idea that accompanies the works main melodic material. The B section’s main fingerprint, a rhythmic grouping of 3+3+2, is found in the vibraphone part while a sextuplet ostinato rhythm flows underneath in the other parts. The B section itself is organized into its own abc Structure, with each sub-section having a different rhythmic fingerprint.

The C section is organized as a modified palindromic structure abac/acbc (a palindrome where c substitutes for a after the halfway point in the structure). Some key rhythmic fingerprints for this section include a 4 against 3 pattern, and a canonical treatment of the works melodic material. The B section follows, but the music and its various sections are now infused with a new motivic idea: a descending line, which begins to dominate the sections until the return of the A section and the original tune with the steady pulsations. A virtuosic coda concludes the work.

• Number of players: 6
• Difficulty: Intermediate
• Instrumentation:
• Player 1: Glockenspiel, chimes, xylophone, marimba (shared w/player 4)
• Player 2: Vibraphone
• Player 3: Marimba 1 (4 octave)
• Player 4: Marimba 2 (5 octave)
• Player 5: Drum set, 2 cans
• Player 6: Thunder sheet, large wood drum, bass drum, gong, guiro, cymbal, Mark tree, castanets, triangle, cowbell