Machines
Peter Meechan
Ensemble: Wind Orchestra
Solo Instrument: Percussion
Grade: 4
Duration: 10:00
Year of Composition: 2020
Commissioned by: John R. Beck, Erik Janners, and the Marquette Wind Ensemble
Publisher: Peter Meechan
Year of Publication: 2021
Publisher Catalog Number: PMM151
Available: Yes
How to Acquire: Publisher, Purchase
Links:
Solo Percussion:
Bongos, Crotales (G, A♭), Marimba, 4 Roto-toms or Tom-toms, 4 Suspended Cymbals, Tuned Gongs or Tubular Bells (F, G)
Piccolo
Flutes 1,2
Oboe
Bassoon
B♭ Clarinets 1,2,3,4
B♭ Bass Clarinet
E♭ Alto Saxes 1,2
B♭ Tenor Sax
E♭ Baritone Sax
B♭ Trumpets 1,2,3
F Horns 1,2,3,4
Trombones 1,2
Bass Trombone
Euphonium
Tuba
Double Bass
Piano
Timpani
Percussion (6 players):
1. Glockenspiel, Xylophone
2. Vibraphone
3. Hi-Hat
4. Brake Drum
5. Wood Block
6. Bass Drum
Program Notes:
Machines is a work for solo percussion and band written for, and dedicated to, soloist John R. Beck, Marquette Wind Ensemble, and their conductor Dr. Erik Janners.
The title has several reference points. I think my fascination with percussion instruments has existed as long as I remember music being in my life. Perhaps the instrument that always captured my interest the most was the marimba (with which the soloist begins the work) – such a variety of sounds, but to a young boy (and still to this old one!) the resonating tubes, and their similarity to exhaust-pipes, always made me think that it could be part of the most beautiful sounding combustion engine!
And, throughout writing the piece I couldn’t help thinking about the machines that we are surrounded by and the innovations they represent. Ever more thought is put in to how to make our machines less environmentally impactful, and technology developments mean that machines are helping with healthcare, with communication, with learning. But this is balanced with the machines of our time – those at work to destroy and to harm.
Machines seeks to represent the drive of innovation – the positive momentum looking for a better world.
(Peter Meechan)
