Circuit Breaker (2012)
Instrumentation:
Glockenspiel, Vibraphone, Xylophone, Marimba (5.0), Chimes, Timpani
Percussion (5 Toms (14"|12"|10"|8"|6") | 2 Sus. Cymbal | Assorted Junk Metals (Brake Drums) | Large Chimes Crash Cymbal | Party Horn | Tam-Tam | Metal Guiro | Flexitone | Bass Drum | Hi-Hat | Large Train Whistle | Splash Cymbal | Vibraslap
- Performed by
Gene Koshinski and Tim Broscious, soloists;
University of Minnesota Duluth Graduate Percussion Group
Circuit Breaker was commissioned by:
Project Organizer
Angleton High School Percussion Ensemble (Charles Fricker)
Alvin Community College (David Griffith/Shane Gormly)
Bob Cole Conservatory of Music CSU (Dave Gerhart)
Brazosport College (Richard Birk)
CAn-Duo Percussion (Chris Nadeau and Anthony Jackson)
Georgetown High School (Cliff Croomes/Jed Leach)
John B. Alexander High School (Christopher Lunsford)
Quey Percussion Duo (Gene Koshinski and Tim Broscious)
Smithson Valley High School Ranger Band (David Stephenson/Dain Vereen/Jeff Yates)
University of Delaware (Harvey Price)
West Chester University (Chris Hanning)
Circuit Breaker, scored for percussion sextet, functions as a concertino for percussion duo with percussion quartet accompaniment. While there is no set program, the inspiration behind the music came from various images of robots dancing. Initially, I was inspired by an internet video of twenty synchronized “Noa" robots dancing to a samba groove. Later I fabricated various other scenarios where a robot might dance if they perhaps led “normal lives" (at a party, nightclub, etc). All of the images involved robots that looked not of the advanced-type of the 21st C., but rather those antiquated and stereotypical types of decades past. These images were entertaining and often humorous, so I was inspired to make this piece a backing track for robots everywhere to “strut their stuff." While there is not a set program, I would encourage the performers to conjure up a storyline (I certainly have my own!).
While the “program" of the work is light and humorous, the music itself is difficult and ranges in aesthetic and includes music that is angular, free, motoric, conversational, improvisatory, and of course groove-oriented. Simply put, the piece is full of color and fun!