Jötenheim (from "As Above, So Below")
Extracted from the 3-movement work "As Above, So Below," Jötenheim: The Land of the Giants, features a vast, mighty wilderness with deep, dark forests and mountain peaks. Enemies of the gods, the giants have experienced plenty of battles here. It is also the home of Mímir’s well of wisdom. Driven by a relentless, low ostinato in the piano and marimba, this movement is filled with excitement from beginning to end.
Medium: Percussion Ensemble (12 + piano)
Publisher: C. Alan Publications
Composed: 2017
Duration: 5:00
Difficulty: Grade 5
Commission: Woodbury High School (MN), + Consortium
Instrumentation
Player 1: Bells
Player 2: Xylophone, Chimes, Crotales (2 octaves)
Player 3: Vibraphone, Suspended Cymbal
Player 4: Vibraphone, Suspended Cymbal
Player 5: Marimba [4.3-octave], Low Drum
Player 6: Marimba [4.3-octave], Low Drum
Player 7: Marimba [4.3-octave], Low Drum
Player 8: Marimba [5.0-octave], Low Drum
Player 9: 4 Timpani, Claves, Sizzle Ride Cymbal
Player 10: Snare Drum, Bongos, 2 Congas
Player 11: 4 Concert Toms, Hi-Hat, Crash Cymbal, China Cymbal, Djembe
Player 12: Concert Bass Drum, Kick Bass [laid flat] or Multi-Bass Drum, Tam-Tam, Log Drum [4 pitches]
Piano
Program Notes
Jötenheim is the third and final movement from the 15-minute work "As Above, So Below." Commissioned by the Woodbury High School Percussion Ensemble (Minnesota) and a consortium of other ensembles, the large-scale work delves into the universe of Norse mythology. It centers on Yggdrasil, the “Tree of Life,” with branches that extend to all nine of the worlds that make up the Norse mythological universe. The tree’s three roots connect three of these worlds – Asgard, Niflheim, and Jötenheim – which make up the three movements of the piece.
Jötenheim: The Land of the Giants features a vast, mighty wilderness with deep, dark forests and mountain peaks. Enemies of the gods, the giants have experienced plenty of battles here. It is also the home of Mímir’s well of wisdom. Driven by a relentless, low ostinato in the piano and marimba, this movement is filled with excitement from beginning to end.
