"Fear Cage" is a term used by paranormal researchers to describe a confined space with high electromagnetic field (EMF) readings. In these areas, one who is sensitive to such phenomena can feel uneasiness, paranoia, anxiety, nausea, and uncontrollable fear.
Written by Kirk J. Gay for two players enclosed within a circle (or cage) of 9 timpani, Fear Cage is a dramatic piece which uses a variety of effects to set a dark tone. Stationed back to back, the performers sometimes cross into each other's territory, ultimately rotating around the circle of drums and trading positions while playing. Unique textures such as bowed crotales and a prayer bowl on top of timpani heads provide a perfect complement to the included audio soundscape which runs throughout the piece. Several moments of free improvisation are called for as well. This is a timpani feature sure to leave its mark on your next concert.
This piece comes with a full, bound score and includes a CD-Rom containing a professionally shot video performance, full-quality audio for the soundscape track, and all individual parts available for printing.
Fear Cage Reviews
Jim Lambert
Reviewed in Percussive Notes July 2010
“This timpani duet with CD audio accompaniment will challenge the performance skills of a mature pair of timpanists. Timpanist 1 needs four timpani, timpanist 2 needs five, and the drums are set up in a circle with the timpanists performing “back to back” inside the circle. Timpanist 1 also needs two crotales (D and G), and timpanist 2 needs a set of bamboo wind chimes and a prayer bowl (small gong-like sound).
This seven-minute composition has an “atmosphere” CD track that both starts and ends this unique piece. Metrically, the composition maintains a 4/4 meter throughout, and the overall melodic content centers around a g-minor tonality. There is just enough independent musical dialogue between the two timpanists for a satisfying musical experience. This duet is appropriate for a junior or senior undergraduate percussion recital.”
Add your review here
Instrumentation
Player 1: Set of 4 standard timpani (32”, 29”, 26”, 23”), low G and high D crotales, bass bow.
Player 2: Set of 5 timpani (32”, 29”, 26”, 23”, 20”), brass rice bowl or Tibetan prayer bowl, bamboo wind chimes.
Requires PA system for playing the included pre-recorded audio track.
