Daughtrey-Chasing Infinity (SP)-B/V/C/X/3M/4T/P

Commissioned by Wilbrand van Norel to be used as a required piece in the 2018 Open Nederlandse Slagwerk Kampioenschappen (ONSK) in The Netherlands, Chasing Infinity by Nathan Daughtrey draws its inspiration from a quote by Gustave Flaubert (from "The Letters of Gustave Flaubert 1830-1857"):

"Everything measurable passes, everything that can be counted has an end.
Only three things are infinite:
the sky in its stars,
the sea in its drops of water,
and the heart in its tears."

These "three things" help organize the piece into three large contrasting sections. The first section, the sky in its stars, is less about melody and more about painting a sonic impression of the sparkling, infinite energy of the night sky. While there is an overarching melody that eventually emerges, the changing textures are most important. The second section, the sea in its drops of water, is much calmer and expands on the melodic motives that were introduced in the first section. It culminates in a glorious climax before sinking back into the calm of the sea. The third and final section, the heart in its tears, is closely related to the first section, but it is tonally much brighter and resolute.

Number of players: 13
Difficulty: Intermediate/advanced

Instrumentation

Player 1: Glockenspiel
Player 2: Vibraphone
Player 3: Chimes
Player 4: Xylophone, Shared Vibraphone
Player 5: Marimba 1 (4.3 octave)
Player 6: Marimba 2 (4.3 octave)
Player 7: Marimba 3 (5 octave)
Player 8: Timpani (4 drums), Claves
Player 9: Snare Drum, 2 Triangles, Small Suspended Cymbal
Player 10: Snare Drum, Finger Cymbals, Bongos, Congas (2), Medium Suspended Cymbal
Player 11: Bell Tree, Large Suspended Cymbal, Ocean Drum, Wind Chimes, 2 Woodblocks
Player 12: 4 Concert Toms, China Cymbal, Hi-Hat
Player 13: Concert Bass Drum, Multi-Bass Drum, Tam-Tam