Recital Duo

A duet that illustrates the contrasting style of concert and rudimental snare drumming techniques. The piece explores various possible tonal sounds on the two snares in order to enhance the melodic interest between the two parts. Polyrhythms play an important role in the piece as do the carefully placed meter changes.

Program Notes

Recital Duo (for Rudimental Snare Drum with Pedal Bass Drum and Concert Snare Drum with Hi-Hat) was the winning composition of the 1993 Percussive Arts Society Composition Contest. It was published by CPP Belwin, and was later acquired by Alfred Publications. Subsequently, it was placed POP by Alfred, but C. Alan Publications was kind enough to republish it in 2010. Recital Duo was dedicated to Dr. Gary Olmstead, Dan's percussion teacher at I.U.P., long time mentor, and friend.

This multi-percussion duet explores a wide variety of tonal possibilities in conjunction with the contrasting styles of rudimental and concert snare drumming. The unifying element is the pervasive, underlying "boom-chick" accompaniment that generates forward momentum throughout the majority of each major section. Coupled with carefully executed dynamics, several slick metric modulations and rhythmic evolutions provide interesting twists and turns in setting up new tempi and grooves. Briefly recapping material found earlier in the piece, a short, but smokin' finale brings Recital Duo to an exciting conclusion!

Grade Level: 3
Copyright: 2009
Number of Players: 2
Duration: 5:45
Publisher: C. Alan Publications
Type: Duet
Category: Percussion

Listen to Recordings

Watch Video

Instrumentation

Military Snare Drum
Pedal Bass Drum
Concert Snare Drum
Hi Hat