A percussion recital

Abstract

This dissertation treats much of the necessary knowledge required in approaching the works that my performance encompasses. These comprise seven set pieces, touching a spectrum of percussion performance practices. Three jazz oriented works of distinct stylistic periods portray the drum set both as a solo as well as an accompaniment instrument, under the hands of three pillars who marked its development. Composed Improvisation then celebrates the snare drum‟s full development as an unaccompanied solo instrument, featuring unorthodox elements such as graphic notation, aleatoric techniques, and a unique approach to improvisation. Two multiple percussion pieces present a mixture of highly technical material and a more melodic approach towards untuned percussion. The percussion is also presented as a „talking‟ instrument in a piano and percussion duet featuring both tuned and untuned instruments.