Wright-Octet for Percussion (SP-8)-B/X/2V/2M/4T/P

Octet by Maurice Wright for percussion ensemble. The four movements in this piece are quite varied. STREAM seeks to connect the percussion ensemble with the music of the past, especially the many compositions by Bach that percussionists transcribe and play. Although not a transcription, the first movement is indebted to the theme of the Fifth Brandenburg Concerto. GHOST is almost anti-percussive percussion music. The soft dynamic, constant tremolandos, bowed vibraphones and sustained singing evoke the echoes of the instruments and memories of their sound. JUNK is something of an experiment: a recording of the word "junk" was digitized, and the bit-patterns contained therein were transcribed for an ensemble of cast-off objects. The finale, OCTET, is the only movement that employs 8 instruments.

Instrumentation:
two marimbas, two vibraphones, orchestral bells, xylophone, steel drums, timpani, roto toms, "found objects" (seven metal, seven non metal, one additional), two flexatones, two slide whistles, seven small harmonicas (optional), seven balloons