Saguaro (2021)
Saguaro is my fourth duet for percussion and non-percussion instrumentation – a genre that is in desperate need of more repertoire. The piece is inspired by desert environments around the world and named after the iconic saguaro cactus.
This duet for Trumpet and Percussion is inspired by a blend of sounds and styles of music found in the Middle East and Central America. Largely based on the Phrygian Dominant Scale, Saguaro starts with a trumpet overture accompanied by drums, presenting thematic material that will resurface later, such as the opening turn of the grace notes, and the hushed "B theme" heard first at measure 13. As the piece develops, we hear the xylophone being utilized as a rhythmic, percussive device before it is used melodically, followed soon by a cacophony of drums and relentless trumpet articulation. The piece ends with a loud, in-your-face trumpet and xylophone section before tying the opening material back into the mix.
Saguaro is dedicated to my two friends who premiered the work in the Spring of 2021, trumpeter Sam Gustavson, and percussionist Anna Wheat.
Length: 5 minutes
Difficulty: Advanced (Grade 5)
Instrumentation:
Trumpet in Bb with Straight Mute
Mounted Kick Drum, Medium-Low Tom, Medium Conga, Bongos, Xylophone, a pair of articulate rattan mallets