Totem
David Heuser
About this work:
Totem was written in April and June of 1989. It is for six percussionists, all playing wooden instruments. I wanted to create a unified percussion ensemble where the kinds of instruments played by the group would be made of the same material. Totem is part of a trio of percussion sextets which operate under this principle.
Musically the piece deals with issues of mythology and ritual, which have been influencing my music from time to time for a while. I find these influences difficult to portray in strictly instrumental works, particularly since I wish also to remain true to other artistic instincts which I think are important (and perhaps necessary) for my music. That being said, writing for percussion gives one probably the easiest ensemble with which to evoke feelings of ritual, mythology and all their correlating concepts.
Note: Totem can be performed separately or as part of the above mentioned trio of percussion sextets. If all three are played, the order of the pieces is Totem, Secrets, and The Way of the Animal Powers.
Year composed: 1989
Duration: 00:04:00
Ensemble type: Chamber or Jazz Ensemble, Without Voice:Percussion Ensembles
Instrumentation: 2 Percussion (General), 2 Marimba, 2 Xylophone
Instrumentation notes: Percussion required: two xylophones, two marimbas, two log drums, five timple blocks, and two wood blocks