Smith, Stuart S.-Polka In Treblinka (2S)-X/P OS

Polka in Treblinka by Stuart Saunders Smith for percussion trio. Each musician in this piece represents an aspect of the death camps of the Third Reich. The xylophone is a melody of bones screaming for their lost flesh. The bass drum is the chimney spewing the smoke of the dead. The drummer, a Kapo reduced to a stomach and a mouth, trying to make the camp dance in hopes of distracting the noose for another night. Embedded deep in Polka in Treblinka are two Chassidic songs in praise of the Torah.

Instrumentation:
Player 1 - xylophone
Player 2 - snare drum, hi-hat
Player 3 - big bass drum (turned on its side with uncooked rice on the head)