Barr - Jax mecanique - FC335
A very unique piece which was premiered at the 2013 NFA Convention in New Orleans. From the program notes:
"The piece is based on a short melodic riff written by Mrs. Stacey Steele [Associate Professor of Flute and Music Education at Slippery Rock University (Slippery Rock, PA)] after visiting a factory in Germany in 2007. Upon seeing the coordination and rhythmic movements of the automated machinery in the factory, she had an idea for a piece where the players would perform choreographed motions emulating the factory machinery while they played."
Instrumentation:
- Piccolo
- 6-12 C Flutes (3 parts, 2-4 players each)
- 2 Alto Flutes
- 2 Bass Flutes
- Piano (optional)
- Percussion, 3 players (anvils, crotales, improvised beer bottle percussion, large cymbal, metal barrel/beer keg, long PVC pipes, tam-tam, drum set)
- String Bass (amplified) or Electric Bass