Black Mamba
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2<br />
<strong>Black</strong> <strong>Mamba</strong><br />
Instrumentation:<br />
Violin 1<br />
Violin 2<br />
Viola<br />
Cello<br />
Contrabass<br />
Piano<br />
Baritone Saxophone<br />
Trumpet in Bb<br />
Horn in F<br />
Tenor Trombone<br />
3 Percussion<br />
Percussion 1:<br />
Suspended Cymbal<br />
Congas<br />
Snare Drum<br />
Bongos<br />
Bass Drum<br />
1 Tom<br />
Percussion 2:<br />
Vibraphone<br />
Crotales (2 octaves)<br />
3 Toms<br />
Xylophone<br />
Glockenspiel<br />
Snare Drum (shared from Perc. 1)<br />
Percussion 3:<br />
Marimba<br />
Crotales (2 octaves)<br />
Duration: 9 minutes<br />
Program Note:<br />
The black mamba is one of the most dangerous creatures in southwest Africa with a<br />
neurotoxin capable of killing humans in less than an hour. Despite its mythology, the<br />
mamba is a relatively docile creature who shies away from confrontation. The mamba<br />
will typically flee from predators using its incredible speed (up to 14 miles per hour<br />
making it the fastest land snake). However when provoked, it is highly aggressive and<br />
will repeatedly strike its prey with a series of lightning quick attacks. When I set out to<br />
write this piece, I was interested in writing something that was both aggressive and<br />
mercurial, a piece that would change at any instant but always maintain a sense of unease<br />
and propulsion. While this piece is not inspired directly by the black mamba, it is the<br />
qualities of the creature that are reflected in the music. <strong>Black</strong> <strong>Mamba</strong> is a piece for<br />
chamber orchestra and was written for Dan Welcher and the University of Texas New<br />
Music Ensemble.
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