Mass (2004)
for percussion sextet
Duration : approx. 14'

commissioned by The Juilliard School's Dance Division
Premiered November 11-14, 2004, The Juilliard Theater, New York, NY
Choreography by Robert Battle

My latest collaboration with Robert Battle, Mass is for six percussionists -- 3 mallet players and 3 "drummers" (bass drum, timpani, etc.). It was my first whole-hearted attempt at writing a minimalist piece, and I learned that it's a difficult style to do well! (Try to write a 14-minute piece with extremely limited materials, but keep it interesting, and develop some kind of overarching drama!) It starts extremely slowly and quietly, and builds to one final explosion at the end.
Robert's choreography was, I think, his best yet.

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