Stout, A.-Natural Forces(SP)

Inspired by the paintings of 19th century artist Caspar David Friedrich, it is a dramatic, emotionally-charged piece with highly contrasting moods. It starts dramatically slow and explodes into a deliberate first statement. This gives way to a tension building double-time segment that leads to a smooth and mysterious 7/4 section with lots of color, which builds to a thunderous return of the opening theme. Next is a bright, driving section of straight-ahead 16th-note based jazz/fusion that features a vibes solo/duet and a marimba solo. The piece then winds down with a reprise of the opening statement and a gradual diminuendo until the only thing left is a solo note on chimes. This piece runs the gamut of tempo, volume, and intensity ranges.


Number of Players-12
Difficulty: Grade 4
Instrumentation:
Player I: Vibes
Player II: Vibes
Player III: Bells
Player IV: Xylophone
Player V: Chimes
Player VI: Marimba
Player VII: Marimba
Player VIII: Marimba
Player IX: Marimba
Player X: TImpani
Player XI: Tonal Bass. Drums, Temple Bells
Player XI: Multi-Toms
Player XI: Drum-Set

Andrew Stout directs the Athens (Ohio) High School Percussion Ensemble. An accomplished keyboard-percussionists, he composes and arranges for both percussion ensemble and marching band. He is also a marching percussion instructor and adjudicator.