Sacred Stones

Stone is sacred because it is a part of mother earth; seperated, hewn, sculpted, relocated, it continues to be a fragment of her existence. Stone provides a dynamic connection between human life and the marvelous sphere that is our home. Sacred Stones is an incantation on the mystery, power, and celebration that comes into being through the energy of stone.

Program Notes

Stone is sacred because it is a part of mother earth; seperated, hewn, sculpted, relocated, it continues to be a fragment of her existence. Stone provides a dynamic connection between human life and the marvelous sphere that is our home. The foundations of great cities are built of stone, their buildings lifted up by its strength. Monuments of stone extol the virtues and creativity of man. Stone images and circles become pathways of ritual for discovering the eternal. Precious stones framework between earth's center and the sky. Sacred Stones is an incantation on the mystery, power, and celebration that comes into being through the energy of stone.

This work is dedicated to Frank Epstein and the percussion ensemble of the New England Conservatory of Music. It was premiered by the ensemble at the New England Conservatory in Boston on April 13, 2003.

Grade Level: 3
Copyright: 2004
Number of Players: 7
Type: Septet

Instrumentation

Percussion 1 (bells, 2 soprano stones, large tam-tam, cymbals, maracas, timbales, crotales, large stone)
Percussion 2 (vibraphone (w/vibrato and cello bow), 2 alto stones, soprano gong, Peking opera gong (down or up, high pitched Chinese lion cymbal may be substituted), large stone)
Percussion 3 (marimba, 2 tenor stones, piccolo snare drum, alto gong, large stone)
Percussion 4 (4-octave marimba, large rain stick, wood block, four dobachi (cup gongs), five temple blocks, tenor gong, large doumbek, suspended cymbal)
Percussion 5 (bass marimba, wind gong, 2 congas, bass gong, 2 bass stones, large stone)
Percussion 6 (chimes, bass drum (off stage), large slap stick, 4 low tom-toms, water gong, tam-tam w/wood stick, crotales, large stone)
Percussion 7 (5 timpani, bass drum, bar chimes, crotales (2 oct.)