Augusta Read Thomas (1964)

Sonorous Earth (2017)

for percussion quartet playing bells from around the world (approximately 300 pieces of metal) and chamber orchestra

  • General information
    • Composition date: 2017
    • Duration: 7 mn 20 s
    • Publisher: Nimbus Music Publishing
    • Commission: Chicago Philharmonic Society ; Eugene Symphony Association
Detailed formation
  • 4 percussionists [cloches] , piccolo, 2 flutes, 2 oboes, 2 clarinets (also 2 bass clarinets), 2 bassoons, 2 horns, 2 trumpets, 2 trombones, 2 percussions, harp, strings

Premiere information

  • Date: 12 November 2017
    Location:

    États-Unis, Chicago (IL), Harris Theater for Music and Dance


    Performers:

    Third Coast Percussion ; The Chicago Philharmonic ; Scott Speck, direction.

Table of contents

  1. INVOCATION — PULSE RADIANCE (Homage to Olivier Messiaen and Igor Stravinsky)
  2. PRAYER — STAR DUST ORBITS (Homage to Luciano Berio and Pierre Boulez)
  3. MANTRA — CEREMONIAL TIME SHAPES—- (Homage to Lou Harrison and György Ligeti)
  4. REVERIE — CRYSTAL LATTICE (Homage to Edgard Varèse, Harry Partch and John Cage)