Leonard-Sacred Stones B/V/C/2M/BM/5T/P SP

Sacred Stones by Stanley Leonard for percussion septet. Stone is sacred because it is a part of mother earth; separated, hewn, sculpted, relocated, it continues to be a fragment of her existence. Stone provides a dynamic connection between human life and the marvelous sphere that is our home. The foundations of great cities are built of stone, their buildings lifted up by its strength. Monuments of stone extol the virtues and creativity of man. Stone images and circles become pathways of ritual for discovering the eternal. Precious stones framework between earth's center and the sky. Sacred Stones is an incantation on the mystery, power, and celebration that comes into being through the energy of stone.

Instrumentation:
Percussion 1 - bells, 2 soprano stones, large tam-tam, cymbals, maracas, timbales, crotales, large stone

Percussion 2 - vibraphone (w/vibrato and cello bow), 2 alto stones, soprano gong, Peking opera gong (down or up, high pitched Chinese lion cymbal may be substituted), large stone

Percussion 3 - marimba, 2 tenor stones, piccolo snare drum, alto gong, large stone

Percussion 4 - marimba, large rain stick, woodblock, four dobachi (cup gongs), five temple blocks, tenor gong, large doumbek, suspended cymbal

Percussion 5 - bass marimba, wind gong, 2 congas, bass gong, 2 bass stones, large stone

Percussion 6 - chimes, bass drum (off stage), large slap stick, 4 low tom-toms, water gong, tam-tam w/wood stick, crotales, large stone

Percussion 7 - 5 timpani, bass drum, bar chimes, crotales (2 oct.)