Leonard-Janissary Band (SP)-B/V/C/X/4T/P

Janissary Band by Stanley Leonard is imagined music for percussion patterned after the music and rhythms played by a Turkish Mehter Band.

The Mehter Band was established in 1299 during the reign of the Ottoman Empire in Turkey; it was part of the standing corps of soldiers, originally archers, called Janissaries. In its earliest days the Mehter Band was designed to unnerve the enemy with the sound of its drums, cymbals and horns. It also provided ceremonial grandeur for military leaders. The bands have been disbanded and reformed throughout history; the most recent reformation occurred in 1952. The traditions of the music proclaim the unity, power and majesty of the state. A Mehter Band performs at the Military Museum in Istanbul keeping this musical tradition alive today.

Number of players - 14
Difficulty - Medium

Instrumentation -
Player 1 (Crescent I, Bells, Triangle, Tambourine)
Player 2 (Crescent II, Xylophone, Triangle, Tambourine)
Player 3 (Crescent III, Vibraphone, Triangle, Tambourine)
Player 4 (Crescent IV, Chimes, Triangle, Tambourine)
Player 5 (Nakarre I [2 high tom-toms], 4 Temple Blocks, Triangle)
Player 6 (Nakarre II, 4 Temple Blocks, Triangle)
Player 7 (Nakarre III, 4 Temple Blocks, Triangle)
Player 8 (Duval I [2 low tom-toms], 3 Brake Drums, Triangle)
Player 9 (Duval II, 3 Brake Drums, Triangle)
Player 10 (Duval III, 3 Brake Drums, Triangle)
Player 11 (Zil I [crash cymbals], Triangle)
Player 12 (Zil II, Triangle)
Player 13 (Large Tam-Tam, Large Bass Drum)
Player 14 (Kos [4 kettledrums])