Percussion duet for vibraphone and a percussionist playing glassware. The piece is based on a sequence of the number Pi. Winner of the Fisher Tull composition award in 2011. Approximate duration: five and a half minutes.

Li Shen’s poem, “Pitying the Farmers,” inspired this work for flute and percussion.

“Construccion Folclorica Panamena” is a piece inspired by the micro-macro-cosmic form suggested by John Cage. The piece is a tribute to Cage in his centennial. It was commissioned by the Sam Houston Percussion Group under direction of Dr. John Lane for their performance at the Alfredo de Saint Malo music festival in Panama in 2012. Approx. duration: 8′ 30″

Instrument list.

• Percussion 1, Churuca (gourd güiro), Panamanian repicador drum, marimba.
• Percussion 2, Churuca (gourd güiro), Panamanian caja or tambora, castanets, maracas, vibraphone.
• Percussion 3, Churuca (gourd güiro), Panamanian pujador drum, xylophone.

This work is a tribute to the rhythms and melodies of marching band styles in Panama. Approx. duration: four and a half minutes.

“It is very important to consider the balance between the two instruments. A fortissimo on the trumpet is not the same as a fortissimo on the drum. Although I use these dynamics to keep track of the energy of the overall musical passage, material can be used to effectively dampen the drum so long as the ‘campana’ (the rim shot on the snare drum) has tone and resonance. In some of the softer parts, playing at the edge nearest to the drummer can facilitate the movement of the head-campana.”

The Black Christ got to Portobelo approximately two centuries ago. The devotion to this figure is very popular among Panamanians. The reason why the christ got to Portobelo is still unknown. However, there are several legends told by the locals.
Each story has three parts- the arrival of the statue, the refusal of the statue to leave the village, and its veneration. Every attempt to get the statue out of Portobelo failed. To this, the believers suspected the statue had magical powers and decided to remain with them.

At the time the Cristo Arrived in Panama, there was a plague on the coast that wasdevastating the population. The people began to venerate the Black Christ and “miraculously” the plague ended.

For John Lane and Amanda Pepping (Lungta Duo). Available through Cayambis Music Press.

Bamboo chime, bass drum, conch shell and vibraphone are required to perform this musical representation of the ña indigenous people who lived in western Panama.

Originally Written for violin by Panamanian Composer Roque Cordero (1917-208). The piece makes references to Panamanian folk rhythms through his dodecaphonic style.

by Roque Cordero Tanscr. Carlos Camacho

by Roque Cordero Tanscr. Carlos Camacho