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Corruption (Download)

for solo multipercussion and audio
Level: Med-Advanced
Duration: 9:00
State Lists: Florida
Release Date: 2022
Product ID : TSPCS22-005DL
Price: $24.00
Item #: TSPCS22-005DL

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Description

Corruption is a ritualistic, slow-burning solo for multipercussion and audio by Russell Wharton. According to Wharton, this work "tells a Faustian story of unchecked ambition, unholy bargains, and unfortunate consequences." Setting a twisted soundscape, atmospheric gestures from the "liquid triangle" intertwine with rhythmic passages played on crude instruments, such as wood slats and wine bottles. The audio accompaniment explores otherwordly sonic ideas throughout.

The heart of the piece lies within the Aztec death whistle, introduced before the climactic final section. This type of whistle was first discovered at an ancient temple in Mexico City, and mimics a ghastly shriek. The haunting sounds of all these instruments create a uniquely dark tone, fitting for this piece's completion date of Halloween 2019. This intermediate-advanced solo is ideal for recitals or, of course, Halloween events.

Use of this product is governed by the license terms outlined here.

Instrumentation

Glockenspiel

Drums — 2 bongos, conga (high) or concert tom

Accessories — Liquid triangle, 3 wood slats (low to high), 2 wine bottles (low/high), Aztec death whistle

Reviews

Russell Wharton has created several wonderful pieces for percussion and audio accompaniment. The newest is “Corruption,” a work that is meant to musically depict a “Faustian story of unchecked ambition, unholy bargains, and unfortunate consequences.” Along with a well-produced audio tape, Wharton employs a unique collection of live sounds to tell this story.

The body of the piece is composed with skillfully written gestures and phrases for the glass, wood, and skin sounds. Using complex rhythms and multiple changes of time signature, Wharton creates moments of driving agitation, of free lyrical playing, and of panicked chaos. Throughout all these different sections, the electronic audio serves the perfect complement to what the performer is doing, making it easier to play in the character that the moment requires.

However, all of that music is written as a means of featuring specific instruments: the liquid triangle and the Aztec death whistle. The liquid triangle, which opens and closes the piece, is a triangle with a small reservoir for water attached to it, making the sound bend when the instrument is tilted, similar to a waterphone. The death whistle, which is featured close to the end of the piece and serves as the introduction for the darkest portion of the work, makes a terrifying human-like scream when played.

For those of us who like dark characteristics with the music we play, “Corruption” is a wonderful addition to our repertoire. The rhythms are challenging, and the need to acquire specific sounds solely for this piece might be a pain, but the payoff of performing this tale is well worth it.

—Kyle Cherwinski
Percussive Notes
Vol. 60, No. 5, 2022

Description

Corruption is a ritualistic, slow-burning solo for multipercussion and audio by Russell Wharton. According to Wharton, this work "tells a Faustian story of unchecked ambition, unholy bargains, and unfortunate consequences." Setting a twisted soundscape, atmospheric gestures from the "liquid triangle" intertwine with rhythmic passages played on crude instruments, such as wood slats and wine bottles. The audio accompaniment explores otherwordly sonic ideas throughout.

The heart of the piece lies within the Aztec death whistle, introduced before the climactic final section. This type of whistle was first discovered at an ancient temple in Mexico City, and mimics a ghastly shriek. The haunting sounds of all these instruments create a uniquely dark tone, fitting for this piece's completion date of Halloween 2019. This intermediate-advanced solo is ideal for recitals or, of course, Halloween events.

Use of this product is governed by the license terms outlined here.

Instrumentation

Glockenspiel

Drums — 2 bongos, conga (high) or concert tom

Accessories — Liquid triangle, 3 wood slats (low to high), 2 wine bottles (low/high), Aztec death whistle

Reviews

Russell Wharton has created several wonderful pieces for percussion and audio accompaniment. The newest is “Corruption,” a work that is meant to musically depict a “Faustian story of unchecked ambition, unholy bargains, and unfortunate consequences.” Along with a well-produced audio tape, Wharton employs a unique collection of live sounds to tell this story.

The body of the piece is composed with skillfully written gestures and phrases for the glass, wood, and skin sounds. Using complex rhythms and multiple changes of time signature, Wharton creates moments of driving agitation, of free lyrical playing, and of panicked chaos. Throughout all these different sections, the electronic audio serves the perfect complement to what the performer is doing, making it easier to play in the character that the moment requires.

However, all of that music is written as a means of featuring specific instruments: the liquid triangle and the Aztec death whistle. The liquid triangle, which opens and closes the piece, is a triangle with a small reservoir for water attached to it, making the sound bend when the instrument is tilted, similar to a waterphone. The death whistle, which is featured close to the end of the piece and serves as the introduction for the darkest portion of the work, makes a terrifying human-like scream when played.

For those of us who like dark characteristics with the music we play, “Corruption” is a wonderful addition to our repertoire. The rhythms are challenging, and the need to acquire specific sounds solely for this piece might be a pain, but the payoff of performing this tale is well worth it.

—Kyle Cherwinski
Percussive Notes
Vol. 60, No. 5, 2022


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