Limerick Daydreams
The work opens rather mysteriously with fragments of the tune thrown about the ensemble and echoes of the bodhrán (a traditional Irish drum) emulated by a dampened bass drum. A raucous drumming section ensues and gives way to the first full presentation of the reel. What follows is a series of melodic, rhythmic, and harmonic transformations of the Irish tune – some quite playful, some beautifully melancholy, and some majestically resolute.
Medium: Percussion Ensemble (10)
Publisher: C. Alan Publications
Composed: 2004
Duration: 12:00
Difficulty: Grade 5
Commission: University of North Carolina at Greensboro
Instrumentation
Percussion 1 (Bells, Tambourine)
Percussion 2 (Chimes, Snare Drum, Xylophone)
Percussion 3 (Vibraphone, Temple Blocks)
Percussion 4 (Vibraphone, Bongos, Congas)
Percussion 5 (4-octave Marimba, Medium Concert Tom, Tam-Tam)
Percussion 6 (4.3-octave Marimba, Medium Low Concert Tom)
Percussion 7 (4.3-octave Marimba, Low Concert Tom)
Percussion 8 (5-octave Marimba, Low Concert Tom)
Percussion 9 (Wind Chimes, Suspended Cymbal, Small China Cymbal, Sandblocks, Triangle)
Percussion 10 (Bass Drum, Tam-Tam)
Program Notes
Limerick Daydreams was the 2nd Place Winner of the 2005 Percussive Arts Society International Composition Contest. The work is based on the Irish reel, Highway to Limerick. The work opens rather mysteriously with fragments of the tune thrown about the ensemble and echoes of the bodhran (a traditional Irish drum) emulated by a dampened bass drum. A raucous drumming section ensues and gives way to the first full presentation of the reel. What follows is a series of melodic, rhythmic, and harmonic transformations of the Irish tune – some quite playful, some beautifully melancholy, and some majestically resolute.
