Riba-roja de Túria

A Festive Overture for Percussion Ensemble

Riba-roja de Túria is a festive overture for percussion quintet. This piece captures the energy, festive atmosphere and joyful spirit of Las Fallas - a traditional celebration held in commemoration of Saint Joseph. Besides fireworks and traditional costumes, this celebration also features a brass/winds bands performing different kinds of festive music.

Program Notes

Riba-roja de Túria is a festive overture for percussion quintet. The piece was premiered at the opening concert of the James and Susan Moeser Auditorium at the University of North Carolina. Riba-roja de Túria is the name of a small town in the outskirts of Valencia, Spain. During my first visit to Riba-roja de Túria in 2013 I had the opportunity to see the celebration of Las Fallas (the Falles) - a traditional celebration held in commemoration of Saint Joseph. Besides fireworks and traditional costumes, this celebration also features a brass/winds bands performing different kinds of festive music. Thus, in this piece I tried to capture the energy, festive atmosphere and joyful spirit of Las Fallas. The piece begins with a festive theme in the key of B-flat. This is followed by a new theme based on Spaniard/Flamenco harmonies and melodic patterns. The third section is a variation on the second theme followed by a percussion/drumming interlude and then a coda. The piece is dedicated to my dear friends in Valencia; Toni Flores, Manel Ramada, Sergio Izquierdo and Roberto Soria.

Grade Level: 3
Copyright: 2018
Number of Players: 5
Duration: 4:00

Listen to Recordings

Instrumentation

Percussion 1: Timpani (4 drums)
Percussion 2: Bells, Castanets, Triangle
Percussion 3: Xylophone, Woodblock
Percussion 4: Vibraphone, Snare Drum
Percussion 5: Marimba, Suspended Cymbal