Includes score and parts.
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Review from Percussive Notes:
The palindrome found within the title of “AMANAPLANACANALPANAMA” is inherent to the structure and content of this work. Most musical elements are derived from the title, from the form to the opening statement (in which player 1 performs all “A”s within the title on one surface and the lone “C” is performed on another surface). This figure is introduced by all performers in canon before moving into the second section, which involves conveying each letter visually in the score. After a brief middle section, the work reverses course, including spelling each letter again in mirror image.
The instrumentation is largely open; the composer does specify some instruments that should be different pitches from the same family as well as instruments that should work in opposition (such as glockenspiel and log drum). This flexibility allows each ensemble to craft its own sound to convey their interpretation.
This work would benefit from projection of the score in performance, particularly the passages that are derived from a visual arrangement of material. At eight minutes and 45 seconds, it seems to be a little long; adding the visual element would help the first-time listener gain more from the performance. The work is not overly technically demanding, but it does require strong rhythmic independence from each player.
—Jamie Wind Whitmarsh
