When Galaxies Collide

large percussion ensemble (12 players)

duration 11'30”

When Galaxies Collide (2018) is inspired by stunning images from the Hubble space telescope, mesmerizing supercomputer simulations from NASA, and theories on galaxy formation and evolution. The music dramatizes the story of the Milky Way galaxy’s formation and imagines its inevitable collision with Andromeda, our neighboring galaxy, 3.5 billion years in the future. When Galaxies Collide was composed with the generous support of the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh Faculty Development Program and premiered by the UWO Percussion Ensemble under the direction Dr. Alison Shaw.

Instrumentation:

  • glockenspiel/percussion: glockenspiel, cow bell (or brake drum)

  • xylophone/percussion: xylophone, higher suspended cymbal, rain stick, maraca, 2 crystal glasses tuned to F and A

  • vibraphone 1

  • vibraphone 2/marimba: vibraphone, share 5-octave marimba with marimba 3

  • marimba 1 (four-octave)

  • marimba 2 (four-octave)

  • marimba 3 (five-octave)

  • 4 timpani

  • percussion 1: snare drum, 4 tom-toms, shekere, higher and lower brake drums, vibraslap (mounted), 2 crystal glasses tuned to F# and C#

  • percussion 2: lower suspended cymbal, higher suspended cymbal, Chinese cymbal, splash cymbal

  • percussion 3: tam-tam, bongos, larger triangle, maraca, shekere, ocean drum

  • percussion 4: bass drum, tambourine, 5 temple blocks, smaller triangle, wind chimes

Performed by the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh Percussion Ensemble, directed by Alison Shaw

 
 

Purchase

PDF: $85.00 USD - one score formatted for 8.5x11” landscape (PDF) and one set of twelve parts formatted for 8.5x11” portrait (PDF)

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