However, with this much awesome in a piece of music, there has to be some risk involved.
Between the alternating 4/4 and 7/8 meters, and the screaming glissandos, I could not ask for more in a clarinet solo. Of course, as a clarinetist, I am required to mention the clarinet solo that begins about a third of the way through.
This is reinforced by the very large percussion part, which provides a powerful polyrhythmic groove that supports the boisterous sounds of trombone glissandos and stopped horn. As with many of Mackey’s works, it features a wealth of mixed meters, shifting between them in expert fashion. If I had to pick two words to describe Asphalt Cocktail it would be “loud” and “driving”. Upon first downloading the mp3 from Mackey’s website, I was taken aback by the volume attained by the Michigan State University Wind Symphony at the premiere, the complexity and accuracy of rhythm, and of course the clarinet solo, the likes of which I had never heard before. If you need any proof, I posted a screenshot of the Top 25 Most Played from my iTunes on a previous post, and as of February 21 st, 2012, I have played it on my computer 163 times! And that does not count the number of times I have played it on my iPod. Originally a percussionist himself, there is always a very rhythmic feel to his compositions, expressed through mixed meter and polyrhythms, as well as his most recent commission a concerto for percussion and wind ensemble titled Drum Music.Įver since its premiere in 2009, I have been a little obsessed with this piece. Mackey’s compositions are almost entirely for wind ensemble, such as Strange Humors (originally composed for string quartet and djembe), and Redline Tango (originally written for clarinet, violin, cello, and piano under the title Breakdown Tango). It is also accomplishing the goal of venting my excitement for playing Asphalt Cocktail.Īsphalt Cocktail is a medium-length concert opener, composed by John Mackey. Luckily, this post is accomplishing that goal with about a day to spare. After last semester’s insanity, I told myself that I would not let a month pass between blog posts again.
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