Music for Carillon, Percussion, and Hammered Dulcimer

Last night (Friday January 23, 2015) I took my sons to their first concert.  We went to University of Puget Sound’s music for carillon, percussion and hammered dulcimer.  Now honestly, all I saw in the title posting was percussion and hammered and I thought “Awesome! A concert with a heavy beat and lots of drum action, the kiddos will love it!”  I figured it would be the closest thing I could find to a rock concert, but a little more classical and I thought they would sit through it better.  Despite my error we had an incredible experience (yep even the kiddos), met many new people and learned about some unique instruments that I have never had the pleasure of hearing before. 

The concert had seven main pieces that were performed by a variety of musicians.  The second piece was called Marred Rigors and it was broken into three parts called Mount St. Helens, Drumheller Channels and Orcas Island. The instruments used were the marimba played by Matthew Coley and the euphonium by a UPS junior Stephan Adeshima.  My oldest son said this was by far his favorite because he felt as though he was swimming with whales underwater.  I have heard the euphonium played before but never live.  Its deep smooth sound really did make you feel as though you were underwater.  When certain low notes were hit you could feel the resignation and you could easily imagine being in the ocean and having a whale make that noise.  Of course, Matthew on the marimba was incredible.  You could feel the strength behind the instrument but he played so smoothly that it didn’t sound like he was striking the bars.  It just flowed and was a great start to our concert experience.

My youngest son really liked the fourth piece called Dulci played by Matthew Coley on the hammered dulcimer.  It was actually three movements that flowed together called Gnomes (earth), Undines/Sylphs (water/air) and Salamanders (fire).  Of the three I could tell that Salamanders was my son’s favorite because of his wiggling body movement and constant smiles.  Never have I heard the dulcimer before, so this was exciting to hear and see played for the first time.  Salamanders is supposed to represent fire and for me it really did.  At the beginning it reminded me of a fire being lit, slowly crackling.  As the song continued the tempo picked up and the dynamics intensified with a thundering crescendo as it seemed more wood was being thrown on the fire, bring the small spark to a full on roaring inferno.  The distinct twanging quality the dulcimer produces also seemed to enhance the intensity.  King Nebuchadnezzar from The Bible was even inspired by its sound saying, "...everyman that shall hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of music, shall fall down and worship....". (Daniel 3:10)

The fifth piece was composed by Lee Hyla and was performed by a violin, viola, cello, bass clarinet, piano and dulcimer.  Each instrument was used to cause a vivace feeling with random sharp tones that cause me to feel disoriented and chaotic.  About half way through the piece I looked at my program to see what it was titled so I could try and make sense of why I was feeling this way.  It was titled Amnesia Variance…the name was suiting.

One of the highlights to the concert was the fact that Matthew Coley was performing.  Matthew is an incredible musician his biography in the program states he is an internationally acclaimed marimba virtuoso.  It also states that he performs not only on the marimba but percussion, hammered dulcimer and glass!  He is on the percussion faculty at Iowa State University’s Department of Music and Theatre.  Not mentioned in the program but listed on his website are some of the awards he has received in international competitions, he is the only American to every place so highly on the international level.  You could see the passion he had for the music he was creating which always adds to a performance.

Last but definitely not least I feel compelled to write about the composer, Neil Thornock.  All but two songs were created by Mr. Thornock.  The complexity of the music he created was tremendous.  He took very unique instruments and really showcased and stretched the normal sound uses of each.  His last work Lurgy was just amazing!  By recording himself playing the carillon at Brigham Young University and piping the recording through the house speakers while Gerard Morris conducted the rest of the musicians it absolutely blew me away.   He also showed himself playing the carillon on a big screen at the back of the stage so it felt as though he was really playing with the others.  I had never seen a carillon played before and that was a treat to watch as well.  Several times it seemed his hands and feet were simply a blur as he pounded out the sounds.

I am so glad I didn’t read the title posting for this concert correctly.  Instead, I walked away with a great appreciating for a number of instruments and music styles I wasn’t familiar with. 

My kiddos standing in front of a marimba at the UPS Schneebeck Concert Hall after the music concert for Carillon, Percussion, and Hammered Dulcimer, January 23, 2015

Here is the playbill and a ticket from the UPS concert

A picture of the musicians with the composer Neil Thornock

Picture courtesy of Mr. Mike Thornock

Last night I had the pleasure of meeting Neil Thornocks parents!  After I took the above picture of my kiddos in front of the marimba I saw a man stepping onto the conductors podium to take a group shot (also seen above).  A woman was standing close by and I mentioned how the picture would be perfect for my blog.  We began chatting about the concert and before long I realized I was talking to Mrs. Thornock the composers mom!  The Thornocks are wonderful people and I am so appreciative I had the opportunity to meet them and listen to their talented son's work.  Thank you so much for emailing me this picture, God bless you and your family!

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION 
Neil Thornock's BYU Profile Page
Matthew Coley's Website

UPS CONCERT LINK FROM 1/23/15
Music for Carillon, Percussion, and Hammered Dulcimer

MEDIA POSTING OF THE CONCERT
News Tribune article of 1/23/15 UPS Concert