La Forza del Destino

La Forza del Destino (for percussion ensemble). By Giuseppe Verdi (1813-1901). Arranged by Luke Aylsworth. Percussion Ensemble. For glockenspiel, xylophone, vibraphone, 3 marimbas (low A), chimes, 3 timpani, snare drum finger cymbals, bass drum, china cymbal suspended cymbal, gong, crash cymbals (pair), wind chimes, crash cymbal, tambourine, sleigh bells, triangle, gong, synthesizer ( (13 or 14 players). Concert Percussion Ensembles. Medium-Advanced. Score and parts on CD-ROM. 24 pages. Duration 4'00". Published by Tapspace Publications (TA.TSPCE-13).

This percussion ensemble arrangement of Verdi's famed overture to "La Forza del Destino" ("The Force of Destiny") makes for a very exciting piece that explores the classical music possibilities of the modern percussion ensemble. It can be performed with 13 or 14 players and would work equally well in a concert performance, or in an indoor "arena style" performance. "La Forza" provides a wonderful opportunity to perform and discuss the format and form of an opera overture. The piece incorporates several musical styles that range from fast and technically demanding passages to lyrical, sustained melodies.