All for One, for percussion ensemble (2011)

Instrumentation (9 players):

Marimba I, Marimba II, Marimba III, Marimba IV (bass) 

Xylophone; Vibes I & Vibes II with motor on;

4 Timpani (30”, 28”, 25” & 23”), plus piccolo snare, crotales & glockenspiel

Hand Percussion: small suspended cymbal, claves, agogo bells,

vibra-slap, bell tree, cowbell (mounted on stand)

All for One is based upon a number of synthetic modes all beginning with the pitch E.  Some are diatonic or nearly so; others include skips or have whole-tone characteristics.  Each section of the piece is flavored harmonically by one or two of these scales, and some sections modulate to relative modes.  The overall form of the piece is more or less symmetrical, with measures 94-113 (rehearsal F.) as the center section.  “All for One” refers to the manner in which the various players and their parts—rather independent for much of the time—add up to the busy and complex whole.  Occasional unison lines emphasize the “oneness.” Performance time at the marked tempo is about 6:30.  $25 for score, parts, demo recording; order here.