For solo double bass and timpani, includes two scores. Dueling virtuoso forces meet in a dramatic musical dialogue that will result in a standing ovation! A hit at its New York premiere, composer Gardner Read has carefully crafted this unique addition to the repertoire for double bass and timpani. Each sound is notated with a precision you would expect from the master of orchestration. Two clearly printed unbound scores make page turns convenient. Duration: ca. 6'
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Review from Percussive Notes:
Diabolic Dialogue Opus 137 for double bass and four timpani was written in 1979 for Bertram Turetzky and premiered on April 3, 1981 by bassist John Feeney and timpanist Jonathan Haas. A notation key provides the players with detailed information about the meaning of the symbols within the composition. For the bass it provides 22 such keys from playing with knuckles to snap pizzicato. For the timpanist it provides 16 such keys from octave harmonics to two sticks on drumhead. Gardner provides the timpanist with a two-stave part that has the lower two timpani written on the lower staff and the upper two timpani written on the upper staff. Each entrance is marked as to which drums are to be played and all tuning changes are clearly noted. There are three tempos within the composition: beginning tempo quarter note = 46, second tempo quarter note = 184 and third tempo quarter note = 192. The 8th note prevails throughout meters such as 7/8 and 10/8, with a closing section moving from 10/8 to 1/8 descending by one number per measure, which climaxes in a fifteen-second hysterical improvisation. The work lasts six minutes and 15 seconds. Diabolic Dialogue is an excellent composition and showcase for two advanced players. Each player is challenged to the limit both technically and musically.
-John Beck
