Volcán de Fuego

Inspired by a trip to Guatemala, Volcán de Fuego ("volcano of fire") paints a musical picture of three massive volcanoes surrounding the rustic, colonial city of La Antigua. This explosive percussion quartet is irresistible for performers & audiences alike!

Program Notes

Volcán de Fuego is a work for percussion quartet inspired by my trip to Guatemala in the summer of 2013. During a stop at La Antigua, I witnessed the incredible sight of the three massive volcanoes surrounding the rustic, colonial city and could not keep myself from imagining the awesome, raw power these massive giants could emanate. I hoped to convey these three volcánes in the work through the substantial use of bombastic three-note motives and groupings. The title, however, refers to the only dangerous active volcano of the three - "volcano of fire" - which has posed a serious threat to La Antigua throughout its history.

Volcán de Fuego was premiered by the TCU Percussion Ensemble on April 14, 2014.

Grade Level: 4
Copyright: 2015
Number of Players: 4
Duration: 7:10
Publisher: C. Alan Publications
Type: Quartet
Category: Percussion

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Instrumentation

Percussion 1 (Congas, Bongos, Opera Gong or other Low Resonant Metal, Crash Cymbal)
Percussion 2 (4 Toms, Metal Plate or other High Resonant Metal, Crash Cymbal, shared China Cymbal)
Percussion 3 (Field Drum, Snare Drum, Ribbon Crasher or other Med. Low Resonant Metal, Crash Cymbal, Splash Cymbal, shared China Cymbal)
Percussion 4 (Bass Drum, Low Tom, Brake Drum or other Low Medium Resonant Metal, Crash Cymbal)