Musselman (arr.)-Shaker Triptych (SP)-B/V/C/X/2M/opt. BM/ 4T/P

Daniel Musselman's "A Shaker Triptych" is based on three Shaker tunes. These dynamic melodies are full of religious fervor and American nostalgia and as a group have been a ripe inspirational source for American composers in the last 50 years. The suite opens with "Awake My Soul," a driving, pulsating paraphrase of the original tune. The haunting melody in the second setting, "My Carnal Life I Will Lay Down" features the vibraphone on the melodic line. The work concludes with the exuberant "Mother Says Go On" (a reference to Ann Lee, and important figure in the early Shaker movement), full of surprising twists and colors. Duration: 7:30.

Number of Players: 8-9
Level: Medium

Instrumentation
Percussion 1 (bells, tenor drum [share w/ Perc. 9])
Percussion 2 (vibraphone [share w/ Perc. 4])
Percussion 3 (xylophone, 4.3-oct marimba [share w/ Perc. 5])
Percussion 4 (4-oct marimba, vibraphone [shared w/ Perc. 2])
Percussion 5 (4.3-oct marimba [share w/ Perc. 3 & 9])
Percussion 6 (bass marimba [optional])
Percussion 7 (timpani [4 drums])
Percussion 8 chimes, temple blocks, susp. cym., tenor drum, triangle, tambourine)
Percussion 9 (tenor drum [share w/ Perc. 1], triangle, chimes, marimba [share w/ Perc. 5], susp. cym., snare drum, woodblock)