Clockbox (Boccherini) (Download)

arranged for percussion ensemble

Brian Slawson

Level: Med-Easy

Duration: 2:40

Personnel: 8 players

State Lists: Missouri | Florida

Release Date: 2023

Product ID : TSPCE23-005DL

Price: $35.00

Item #: TSPCE23-005DL

Formats Available:

About delivery methods

Download Audio

Description

Arranged by Brian Slawson, Clockbox is a medium-easy percussion octet for young performers drawn from the second movement (”Andantino”) of Luigi Boccherini’s Symphony No. 1 in D, Op.12. Clockbox features very basic rhythms and phrasing structures but challenges players with various accidentals throughout and overall musical structure. The piece begins in the key of D harmonic minor, where many of the accidentals in the piece are found. Later the key changes to the relative major (F major), which could be a good introduction to the topic of relative keys. At the end of the F major section, a first ending is present directing players back to the beginning to perform the short work once more. This is a quick piece to put together while providing students with an educational musical experience.

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

Instrumentation

Glockenspiel

Xylophone

Chimes

Vibraphone

2 Marimbas — (1) 4-octave, (1) low A

Accessories — temple blocks (2), or 2 med/low woodblocks

Reviews

When studying composers of the late 18th century in music history, we typically only learn about Mozart, Haydn, and maybe Salieri if we watch Amadeus. However, just like today, there were numerous composers writing during that time, their contributions having been overshadowed over the years. One such composer is Luigi Boccherini, an Italian composer who wrote several string chamber works, guitar quintets, and symphonies. Brian Slawson has drawn from the “Andantino” movement from Boccherini’s first symphony from 1786 to bring us this new piece for keyboard ensemble.

As one can expect from classical music, the form is straightforward. The first 16 measures are in D minor, followed immediately by a B section that is in the relative major. The piece stays in this key until the repeat sign at the end takes the ensemble back to the beginning. The piece ends after this repeat, with a slightly altered last measure.

The individual parts are equally uncomplicated. With eighth notes being the smallest note quality, and with no syncopation to speak of, the music is incredibly approachable. That is not to say that all the parts are at the same difficulty level. For example, the marimbas and xylophone have many more notes than the metallic instruments, and the “tick-tock” of the temple blocks is intended for someone who is less comfortable on pitched percussion. This was written in a way that can keep those who show aptitude on these instruments engaged while giving those who are still learning an opportunity to grow with easy supportive parts.

This a great arrangement that can serve many purposes pedagogically. It displays clear-cut examples of phrases, relative major/minor relationships, and the importance of melody/accompaniment roles. This is a welcome addition to the young percussion ensemble repertoire.

—Kyle Cherwinski
Percussive Notes
Vol. 61, No. 4, August 2023