William Kraft (1923-2022)
Nationality:
American
Born: September 6, 1923, Chicago Died: February 12, 2022 (age 98)
Theme and Variations for Percussion Quartet
(for 4 percussionists)
Duration: 8 minutes (approximately)
Composed:
1956 (age 32-33)
1 recording,
1 videos
8:17
Pacific Percussion Ensemble
glossary
- chamber music, Kammermusik [G], musique de chambre [F], musica da camera [I], musica cameralis [L]—"Classical Music" for a small ensemble, generally 8 or fewer players with a canonical emphasis on 3-6 players. explore
- percussion quartet, percussion ensemble—a musical ensemble or piece for the ensemble consisting comprising four percussionists playing instruments including traditional drums and cymbals, pitched instruments like marimbas and xylophones, and even unconventional "found" objects, demonstrating versatility in instrumentation and musical expression. Percussion quartets often focus on the unique sounds and textures that can be produced with these instruments, often playing chamber-style or classical repertoire that is through-composed. Explore the percussion ensemble | wiki
- quartet, quatuor [F], quartett [G], quartetto [I], cuarteto [S]—ensemble or work for four players the most important examples being the string quartet and the piano quartet
- tema con variazioni, con variazioni, Tema e variazioni, theme and variations, Thema mit Variationen [G], Thème varié [F]—a common movement form featuring an initial theme followed by a series of variations on that theme, each of which adjusts any number of parameters to achieve variety, e.g. tempo, rhythm, key, instrumentation, etc.A challenge to the composers ingenuity and a delight for the listener
- theme, tema [I], Thema [G]—a complete and recognizable musical entity (e.g. melody) used as the basis for elaboration (e.g. variations, sontata, fugue, etc.). Also called a subject. Motif (motive) is generally a smaller fragmentary entity.
- variation, variazione, variatio, variato, variata—a modified re-iteration of a previous theme, reprise, couplet, etc. The music is varied, embellished or creatively transformed for variety while maintaining a unity relationship with the original. See "Theme and Variations."