Chamber/Ensemble

Each of the seven movements is a depiction of a character from the composer’s family album. The piece requires seven players, each taking turns reading text while the others perform the associated music.

Quartz City is another winner – literally. Johnson’s piece won first prize in the 1995 P.A.S.Composition Contest. The vibraphone solo is very challenging; the ensemble parts somewhat less so.

This work for solo marimba, four percussion, and timpani is described by the composer as a “mood portrait of the dark, sultry, murky vegetation covering unexpected mysteries of the tropical rain forest.” Counter rhythms and polyrhythms have a strong presence in the piece, creating a primitive atmosphere. The use of a wide array of instruments and playing implements contributes to this mood.

Rechargeble Light received its premiere performance on August 4, 2000 at the Chautauqua Institute (Chautauqua, NY) with Michael Burritt as percussion soloist. It attempts to fuse electronic and acoustic sounds in a chamber music setting. Scored for percussion soloist playing non-pitched instruments accompanied by five percussionists playing mostly pitched instruments including two synthesizers and a MalletKat (a synthesizer comprised of triggers in the shape of a mallet keyboard).