Criss

An energetic and thrilling work for drum set and percussion ensemble inspired the playing of some of rocks most influential drummers.

Program Notes

Criss owes its existence to two people who deserve a shout-out:

First is composer Christoper Rouse, well-loved by percussionists everywhere for his energetic and thrilling pieces Ogoun Badagris and Ku-Ka-Ilimoku, which are bombastic staples of the percussion ensemble repertoire. I first heard his thunderous homage to Led Zeppelin drummer John Bonham in the late 1980s, and was thrilled to hear an art-music composer tackle rock-&-roll in a serious fashion, without irony. Criss exists in part because Bonham came before it.

And, of course, there’s Peter Criss. I can safely say - again, without irony! - that the person I am and the life I have led would not be the same without the influence of this drummin’ cat. The music Peter made with Kiss has been part of me since I was a child, and if I became a musician at least in part because of that band, then I definitely became a drummer because of Peter. His solid timing, intricate rhythms and animalistic, Krupa-esque pounding of the skins have formed the backbone of my own drumset style…an influence I’m fiercely proud to acknowledge and a heritage I hope to carry into the future.

-SRH

Grade Level: 4
Copyright: 2009
Number of Players: 3
Duration: 6:15
Publisher: C. Alan Publications
Type: Trio
Category: Percussion

Listen to Recordings

Instrumentation

Percussion 1
Drum Set (Snare Drum, Bass Drum, Hi/Med/Low Toms, Hi-Hat, Crash Cymbal)

Percussion 2
4 Concert Toms, China Cymbal, Cowbell

Percussion 3
Bongos, Congas, Splash Cymbal, Large Tam-Tam