American Dance Music II
Daniel W. McCarthy
About this work:
AMERICAN DANCE MUSIC was commissioned by RHYTHM & BRASS in 1995. McCarthy was asked to compose a piece that would be musically challenging for the group and appealing to audiences. Thus, such a work was written by McCarthy that celebrates uniquely American music popularized by American dance crazes. This piece was originally composed for Brass Quintet and percussion. An orchestra accompaniment was added for the premier performance of Rhythm & Brass with the Amarillo Symphony Orhcestra in
1997.
The Unsquare Dance pairs the tuba and xylophone in a sophisticated ~hoe-downr with frequent meter changes creating music that is ~un-square.r Latina is patterned after the ~Lambada," the dance made famous in the film "Dirty Dancing." Latin rhythms combine with a Baroque style canon. Serenade recalls the ~40,s style slow dance with a Tommy Dorsey-like trombone solo and a musical language of modem jazz. J~ borrows from the 1950ts be bop era and the like of Dizzy Gillespie, Gerry Mulligan and Stan Kenton with another tuba and xylophone duet. ROKl71 is unabashedly dedicated to the composer~s favorite rock/funk group, Tower of Power. With the all important drum solo, this movement combines the elements of jazz, rock and funk so prevalent in the 70,s styles of groups such as Tower of Power, Blood, Sweat and Tears, and Chicago.
Version: Brass Quintet, perc., Orchestra
Year composed: 1997
Duration: 00:15:00
Ensemble type: Orchestra:Orchestra with Soloist(s)
Instrumentation: 1 Piccolo, 2 Flute, 2 Oboe, 2 Clarinet, 1 Bass Clarinet, 2 Bassoon, 3 Horn in F,1 Horn in F soloist(s), 2 Trumpet,1 Trumpet soloist(s), 2 Trombone,1 Trombone soloist(s), ,1 Tuba soloist(s), 1 Timpani, 2 Percussion (General), ,1 Drum Set soloist(s), 36 Strings (General), 14 Violin, 8 Viola, 8 Cello, 6 Double bass
Instrumentation notes: Available form: C. Alan Publications, P.O. Box 29323
Greensboro, NC 27429-9323, 336.272.3920
E-MAIL ADDRESS contact@c-alanpublications.com