contact me: mail@kitbraz.com
MUSIC FOR PERCUSSION
I started MUSICA ORBIS in 1972 with two percussionists: Tom Stephenson and David Clark. Dave evolved into a double bassist but in the meantime I learned a lot from both of them. We carried both marimba and vibes as well drumkit and lots of fascinating hand percussion collected by Tom, when we toured. Tom played cello too so both percussionists played kit, mallet, a stringed instrument and sang. Percussionists are very adaptable and creative in their approach to music.
| NAME OF WORK | DESCRIPTION | DATE COMPOSED | LENGTH |
INSTR. |
PERFORMANCE(S) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Piece for E.S.P. (East Side Percussion) for internet broadcast | 1996 | 10 sec. | for 3 percussionists | t.b.a. | |
| EAR Exposition, Development & Recapitulation | 3 detachable movements deconstructing sonata form---is it valid?---Exposition establishes motives a and b in multiple configurations; Development encourages the players to improvise on these ideas; Recapitulation restates and wraps up with a bang. | 1999 | 10 min. | for the California EAR Unit: flute, bass clarinet, violin, cello, 2 keyboards (piano and sampler using processed dialogue by EAR members), marimba and drum set. | Los Angeles County Museum, October 13, 1999. |
| Fishy Wishy | A re-texting of the 4th mov't of Schubert's Trout QuintetŃtext from or based on my own translation of text from Schubert's lied "Die Forelle". Recorded for CRI CD "Alternative Schubertiade" spring 1999. | 1997 | 7 min. | for SSA voices, vibes and piano | "Alternative Schubertiade," Downtown Arts Festival, American Opera Projects, NYC 9/19/97 (reviewed in N.Y.Times 9/22/97 and Voice 9/30/97). |
| Just Met | Bass marimba and violin in conversation | 1996 | 7 min. | for bass marimba and violin | Roulette, NYC, March 25, 1998. |
|
I Was Kidnapped
|
Operetta in which entire ensemble except contralto is Martian and speaks in motives learned from radio waves in space. Libretto by Lorraine Llamas. Premiered by BOG LIFE. | 1992 | 15-20 min. | for BOG LIFE: contralto, baritone, harp, oboe, double bass, marimba and cymbal; | Dixon Place, New York City, November 1992. |
| The Dinner-Party | A six-song song cycle setting poems by Amy Lowell. (see below) | 1987-1991 | 22 min. | for BOG LIFE: mezzo-soprano, baritone, oboe, harp, double bass, marimba and percussion. |
Cape Cod, MA, November 1991. Roulette, 1991. |
| Back In The Air | Concert of songs and instrumental pieces for MUSICA ORBIS, recorded by dbx, Inc. for demonstration album; September, 1977. | 1977 | 90 min | for bells, chimes, timbales, claves, marimba, vibraphone, piano, organ, harp, flute, recorder, cello, double bass, electric bass, drum set and voices | Zellerbach Theater, Annenberg Center, University of Pennsylvania with live broadcast by WXPN-FM; Sanders Theater, Harvard University, live broadcast on WBUR-FM |
| Sound in Space | MUSICA ORBIS collaboration with architects using alternative audience-performer spatial configurations, inflatable sculpture, tunnels and microphone "forest" to alter concert ambience. | 1977 | 90 min. | portable acoustic instruments as well as harp, flute, drums, cello, bass, hammered dulcimer | University of Pennsylvania, March, 1977. |
| Fire Opal Suite | Performed and recorded by MUSICA ORBIS on "To The Listeners" (Longdivity Records 1977. National reviews. National television broadcasts.) | 1976 | 12 min. | for pipe organ, flute, cello, double bass, harp, marimba, drums, piano and voices | The Bijou, Philadelphia; CBGB's, New York City; Berklee Performance Center, Boston. |
| Evergreen Festival | annual concert on acoustic instruments by MUSICA ORBIS for the winter Solstice | 1974 | 70 min. | for pump organ, flute, recorder, cello, double bass, Irish knee harp, marimba, hand percussion, piano and voices | The Painted Bride Art Center, every December 1974-77 |
| Getting In & Out Of Trouble | Rondo of ostinati for jazz orchestra, commissioned by the Charles Fox Fund of the Alumni & Friends of LaGuardia. Premiered by LaGuardia High School of Music & Art Junior Jazz & Pit Orchestra combined under the direction of Bob Stewart. | 1999 | 10 min | 3 fl., 5 cl. (b. cl. & Eb), sax 3-2-1, 4 tpts, fr. hn., 3 tbns., tb., pno., (gtr. optional), 4 pc. (drumkit, agogo, whistle, gong, chocallo/rainstick, 3 tmp., conga, timbales, marimba), 2-8 violins, 2-6 cellos, amplified bass. | LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and the Performing Arts, May 6 1999. |
|
R you can hear R at http://www.arcananet.org/newmusicradio choose Joe Pehrson's 5/15/98 interview with Kitty Brazelton |
Chamber piece. No text. Parisian flavor? Rather exotic. | 1989; revised, 1994 and 1998. | 6 min. | for untexted voice, electric 5-string viola, classical guitar, double bass and bongos | Roulette, NYC, March 1998 and December 1994. Internet interview with Joe Pehrson. |
|
Love, I Know Beyond A Doubt |
Motet including text and melodies from traditional & Occitans chants and a monophonic chanson roial from the"Remede de Fortune" by Guillaume de Machaut (c. 1300-1365), in memory of Professor Peter Gram Swing. | 1997 | 14 min. | for SATB chamber choir, 5 soloists & jazz quartet (tenor saxophone, piano, double bass and drums) | unperformed |
| The Two Timing F**k I'm in Love With | Poem by Carolyn Peyser. Recorded 1998 | 1996 | 10 min. | for alto, 2 violins (or violin and viola) and 2 percussionists (congas, nontraditional object which rattles, 5 temple blocks, 2 cymbals and hi-hat, triangle, dumbek) | Premiere by Absolute Ensemble, June 30, 1996. Roulette, 1998. |
| Leonardo | Commissioned for dance by choreographer Eduardo Zeiger with excerpts from Sigmund Freud's essay "Leonardo da Vinci and a Memory of His Childhood". Recorded by BOG LIFE at WNYC, May 1994, for "New & Unusual American Chamber Music." | 1993 | 25-30 min. | for BOG LIFE: baritone, mezzo-soprano, classical guitar, harp, soprano recorder, oboe, drum, cymbal, double bass | Merce Cunningham Dance Studio, New York City with Eduardo Zeiger and Friends, February, 1993, and without dance at CB's 313 Gallery, May 1992. |
|
Lullaby for Handbells |
Ensemble lullaby with lighting and movement, dedicated to a newborn Rosie Mandel, commissioned by Corn Palace Productions for New Music America '92. | 1992 | 15 min. | for six handbell players accompanied by electric bass and amplified voice, | The Southern Theater, Minneapolis, October 1992, New Music America |
| The Dinner-Party | A six-song song cycle setting poems by Amy Lowell. Premiered by Brazelton's BOG LIFE, Cape Cod, Mass. tour funded by Massachusetts Arts Lottery, November 1991. Included on BOG LIFE recording "New & Unusual American Chamber Music." | 1987-1991 | 22 min. | for BOG LIFE: mezzo-soprano, baritone, oboe, harp, double bass, marimba and percussion (tambourine, kettle drum, small and large crash cymbals, claves, cowbell, brushes, snare drum, high, low and floor toms) |
Cape Cod, MA, November 1991. Roulette, 1991. |
| Woman's Works | A fantasia in deconstructed sonata form for orchestra. | 1992-1994 | 10 min. | winds 2-2-2-2, brass 4-2-2, 3 percussion (snare drum, 2 timbales, 4 suspended cymbals, 4 pedal timpani), harp, strs. 6-6-4-4-2 | unperformed |
| Evergreen Festival | annual concert on acoustic instruments by MUSICA ORBIS for the winter Solstice | 1974 | 70 min. | for pump organ, flute, recorder, cello, double bass, Irish knee harp, marimba, hand percussion, piano and voices | The Painted Bride Art Center, every December 1974-77 |
| EAR Exposition, Development & Recapitulation | 3 detachable movements deconstructing sonata form---is it valid?---Exposition establishes motives a and b in multiple configurations; Development encourages the players to improvise on these ideas; Recapitulation restates and wraps up with a bang. | 1999 | 10 min. | for the California EAR Unit: flute, bass clarinet, violin, cello, 2 keyboards (piano and sampler using processed dialogue by EAR members), marimba and drum set. | Los Angeles County Museum, October 13, 1999. |
| The
Battle of X and Y |
An algebraic battle between ostinato x and bridge y. Structured ensemble improvisation. Virtuosic rhythm. | 1999 | 7 min. | for Rel‰che: oboe, tenor sax, bassoon, viola, piano, double bass and drum set | Relâche's 1999-2000 season, t.b.a. |
| Getting In & Out Of Trouble | Rondo of ostinati for jazz orchestra, commissioned by the Charles Fox Fund of the Alumni & Friends of LaGuardia. Premiered by LaGuardia High School of Music & Art Junior Jazz & Pit Orchestra combined under the direction of Bob Stewart. | 1999 | 10 min | 3 fl., 5 cl. (b. cl. & Eb), sax 3-2-1, 4 tpts, fr. hn., 3 tbns., tb., pno., (gtr. optional), 4 pc. (drumkit, agogo, whistle, gong, chocallo/rainstick, 3 tmp., conga, timbales, marimba), 2-8 violins, 2-6 cellos, amplified bass. | LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and the Performing Arts, May 6 1999. |
|
Song for Todd Walkin' On My Beat Green Onions In The Field Go No Further |
Compositions for DADADAH. Song for Todd and Green Onions... use untexted voice while Walkin'... and Go... have lyrics. Walkin'... is the longest containing a long interlude called My Mexico duo for cello & bass with brass, harp and drum incursions. | 1998 |
7 min. 10 min.
5 min. 7 min. |
for Brazelton's nine-piece electro-acoustic ensemble DADADAH: voice, alto sax, horn, trombone, harp, cello, electric guitar, electric bass, drums | CB's Lounge, CBGB's, New York City, November 1997-July 1998 monthly residency. |
| she said she said, "can you sing 'Sermonette' with me?" | Life study created in collaboration with composer Dafna Naphtali; my portion developed at Columbia University Computer Music Center, March-June 1997 Reviewed in Chicago Tribune 10/14/97 and Reader 10/23/97. | 1997 | 22 min. | for WHAT IS IT LIKE TO BE A BAT?: two voices and microphones, two electric guitars, MAX interactive processing of Eventide delay unit, DAT soundtracks, MIDI-controlled sampler, drums | Women's Avant Fest '97, Chicago, October 12 1997. Columbia University Computer Music Center's Interactive Arts Festival 99, The Kitchen, April 1999. |
|
Your Mad Mad Love In The Eye Of The Storm |
2 chamber rock songs | 1996 |
3 min. 7 min. |
for Randall Woolf's CAMP: rock voice, trumpet, bass clarinet, organ, electric guitar, bass and drums | Context Studio, August 1996, |
|
Open the Window (& Look Out) Soul Kiss U'r N Love N U Dono Y Thing Of Beauty Around You Waitin' For Ya Baby Sex Wind Dream Cinderella's Sister you can hear Cinderella's Sister at http://www.arcananet.org/newmusicradio choose Joe Pehrson's 5/15/98 interview with Kitty Brazelton |
Songs for DADADAH recorded Sept. 1-3, 1995. Released on CD "Love Not Love Lust Not Lust" 1999. | 1995 | 3-12 min. each | for DADADAH: voice, French horn, harp, trombone, saxophone, flute, cello, electric guitar and electric bass, drums. | Knitting Factory, NYC, August 29-31; |
| From Her Story | Autobiographical musical narrative recorded by DADADAH, Labor Day, 1995. Released on CD "Love Not Love Lust Not Lust" 1999. | 1993 | 26 min. | for DADADAH: voice, French horn, harp, trombone, saxophone, flute, cello, electric guitar and electric bass, drums. | The Nuyorican Poets Cafe for International Women's Month, March 1993 |
| Rise Up | Song and instrumental suite containing the traditional blues, House Of The Rising Sun, revisited.Recorded and nationally released on DADADAH CD "Rise Up!" (Accurate/Distortion Records, May 1994. Nationally reviewed.) | September 1991 | 14 min. | for DADADAH: voice, French horn, harp, trombone, saxophone, flute, cello, electric guitar and electric bass, drums. | The Knitting Factory, The Firewall Festival, Merce Cunningham Dance Studio, Nuyorican Poets Cafe, P.S. 122, NYC, 1990-91. |
| Snow White Rose Red | Premiered by DADADAH at the Knitting Factory, The Firewall Festival, Merce Cunningham Dance Studio, Nuyorican Poets Cafe, P.S. 122, NYC, 1990-91. Recorded and nationally released on DADADAH CD "Rise Up!" | 1991 (1981) | 9 min. | for DADADAH: voice, French horn, harp, trombone, saxophone, flute, cello, electric guitar and electric bass, drums. | The Knitting Factory, The Firewall Festival, Merce Cunningham Dance Studio, Nuyorican Poets Cafe, P.S. 122, NYC, 1990-91. |
| The Night Is Mine | Anti-war protest. Recorded and nationally released on DADADAH CD "Rise Up!" | 1991 | 7 min. | for DADADAH | The Knitting Factory, etc., NYC, 1990-91. |
| Don't Look Back | Exploded song form with fugue. Recorded and nationally released on DADADAH CD "Rise Up!" | 1991 | 5 min. | for DADADAH | The Knitting Factory, etc., NYC, 1990-91. |
| Little Gamelan Da | Gamelan influenced song. Recorded and nationally released on DADADAH CD "Rise Up!" | 1991 | 5 min. | for DADADAH | The Knitting Factory, etc., NYC, 1990-91. |
| Dance Suite | 5 symphonic movements re-interpreted in the modern idiom originally commissioned by choreographer Rebecca Romero. Recorded and nationally released on DADADAH CD "Rise Up!" | 1990 | 26 min. | for DADADAH: voice, French horn, harp, trombone, saxophone, flute, cello, electric guitar, drums | Columbia Teacher's College, 1990; The Knitting Factory, etc., NYC, 1990-91. |
| Back In The Air | Concert of songs and instrumental pieces for MUSICA ORBIS, recorded by dbx, Inc. for demonstration album; September, 1977. | 1977 | 90 min | for bells, chimes, timbales, claves, marimba, vibraphone, piano, organ, harp, flute, recorder, cello, double bass, electric bass, drum set and voices | Zellerbach Theater, Annenberg Center, University of Pennsylvania with live broadcast by WXPN-FM; Sanders Theater, Harvard University, live broadcast on WBUR-FM |
| Sound in Space | MUSICA ORBIS collaboration with architects using alternative audience-performer spatial configurations, inflatable sculpture, tunnels and microphone "forest" to alter concert ambience. | 1977 | 90 min. | portable acoustic instruments as well as harp, flute, drums, cello, bass, hammered dulcimer | University of Pennsylvania, March, 1977. |
| Fire Opal Suite | Performed and recorded by MUSICA ORBIS on "To The Listeners" (Longdivity Records 1977. National reviews. National television broadcasts.) | 1976 | 12 min. | for pipe organ, flute, cello, double bass, harp, marimba, drums, piano and voices | The Bijou, Philadelphia; CBGB's, New York City; Berklee Performance Center, Boston. |
| Sleeping Out Of Doors | A semi-concerto for piano and orchestra. Commissioned and premiered by Kristjan JŠrvi and Absolute Ensemble with soloist FangYu Liao. | 1998 | 15 min. | winds 2-2-2-2 (w/ b. cl. & cbsn.), brass 2-1-1; 1 pc. (kit), pno., acoustic gtr. (ampl.), strings 4-4-4-4-2 min. (1 bass if ampl.) | Merkin Hall, New York, May 5 1998. |
