Stout-Route 666 (SP-4+1)-M solo/2P/2Mallet

This work was commissioned Leigh Howard Stevens. The idea for the music initially came from some music that Stout heard on the radio that captivated my attention. It consisted of simple harmonies in simple rhythms, over which there were faster and rhythmically active melodic ideas. This textural situation was employed to start the ideas for this composition. Three minor triads each a minor third apart form the basic harmonic and melodic language of Route 666.

Number of Players: 5
Difficulty: Grade 5
Instrumentation:
Percussion instrumentation is at the performers discretion. General guidelines are given.
Player I: LP Cabasa
Player II: 3Low Drums, 2 Med Drums, 2 High Drums, 2 Wooden Instruments, 4 Metal Instruments
Player III: Marimba
Player IV: Keyboard 1
Player V: Keyboard 2

GORDON STOUT (b.1952) is currently Professor of Percussion at the School of Music, Ithaca College, Ithaca, N.Y. A composer as well as percussionist who specializes on marimba, he has studied composition with Joseph Schwantner, Samuel Adler and Warren Benson, and percussion with James Salmon and John Beck.As a composer-recitalist he has premiered a number of his original compositions and works by other contemporary composers. Many of his compositions for marimba are published, and have already become standard repertoire for marimbists world-wide. His recordings are devoted not only to his own music, but also that of the general standard repertoire by important American composers.