Sometimes My Arms Bend Back

Daniel Harrison

Two Movements for Toy Piano & Percussion Trio

Instrumentation: Toy Piano (Range C4-C6) Percussion 1: 4 Flower pots arranged from lowest to highest sounding Resonant piece of unpitched metal of the players choice Harmonica in the key of Ab 2 wineglasses of similar size filled with an indeterminate amount of water arranged from lowest to highest sounding. Percussion 2: 4 metallic mixing bowls arranged from lowest to highest sounding Resonant piece of unpitched metal of the players choice (something that timbrally differs from the mixing bowls) Harmonica in the key of Db 2 wineglasses of similar size filled with an indeterminate amount of water arranged from lowest to highest sounding. Percussion 3: 4 hollow metal pipes (optimally with a more mellow than bright sound) arranged from lowest to highest sounding Resonant piece of unpitched metal of the players choice (something that timbrally differs from the metal pipes) Harmonica in the key of B 2 wineglasses of similar size filled with an indeterminate amount of water arranged from lowest to highest sounding.

Percussion keys:

Performance notes: Dynamic crescendo from niente, decrescendo back to niente.

In the second movement each percussionist is asked to perform on harmonica. There are not any specific pitches notated, instead there are only general registers (L, M, H) notated. The performer is to blow into these registers and catch as many notes as possible within that generalized register (aim to sound at least three notes). The desired effect between the three percussionists is a thick, reedy haze. Each percussionist is asked to perform on wine glasses in the second movement. To activate the sound of the wine glass wet your finger with water and then lightly rub along the rim of the glass in a circular fashion. The wine glasses should all be similar in size and style and be filled with an indeterminate amount of water (individually chosen by each percussionist; 6 different pitches are desired). Each percussionist should be able to sound two different indeterminate pitches, one low and one high. The toy piano should be set up in front of the perc. Trio as a soloist. Care should be taken so that the percussion does not overpower the sound of the toy piano; a level synthesis of sound is desired. Each movement may be performed individually or as a set.

I. duration ca. 7’ II. duration ca. 6’

Total duration: ca. 13’

Spinning uncontrolably e = 144 (q=72)Daniel Harrison

Sometimes My Arms Bend BackI.

For Laura

Toy Piano

Percussion 1

Percussion 2

Percussion 3

e=e

mf sempre

flower pots (L-H) With Rattan sticks with rubber mallet heads

mf sempre

metallic mixing bowls (L-H) With Rattan sticks with rubber mallet heads

mf sempre

hollow metal bars (L-H) With Rattan sticks with rubber mallet heads

5

ToyPno.

Perc. 1

Perc.2

Perc.3

10

ToyPno.

Perc. 1

Perc.2

Perc.3

14

ToyPno.

Perc. 1

Perc.2

Perc.3

18

ToyPno.

Perc. 1

Perc.2

Perc.3

3

22

ToyPno.

Perc. 1

Perc.2

Perc.3

26

ToyPno.

Perc. 1

Perc.2

Perc.3

30

32

ToyPno.

Perc. 1

Perc.2

Perc.3

p

f

mf

3

p

f mf

3

p

f mf

3

4

34

ToyPno.

Perc. 1

Perc.2

Perc.3

p

f

mf

3

p

f mf

3

p

f mf

3

38

ToyPno.

Perc. 1

Perc.2

Perc.3

p

f

mf

3

p

f mf

3

p

f

mf

3

42

ToyPno.

Perc. 1

Perc.2

Perc.3

p

f

mf

3

p

f mf

3

p

f

mf

3

5

46

ToyPno.

Perc. 1

Perc.2

Perc.3

p

mf

3

p

mf

3

p mf

3

5050

ToyPno.

Perc. 1

Perc.2

Perc.3

p

mf

3

p

mf

3

p

mf

3

54

ToyPno.

Perc. 1

Perc.2

Perc.3

p

f

mf

3 3

p

f

mf

3

p

f

mf 3

6

58

ToyPno.

Perc. 1

Perc.2

Perc.3

3

3 3

62

ToyPno.

Perc. 1

Perc.2

Perc.3

3

3

3

4:3

3

5

66

ToyPno.

Perc. 1

Perc.2

Perc.3

5

3

4:3

3

3 3

3

4:3

7

70

ToyPno.

Perc. 1

Perc.2

Perc.3

3 3

74

ToyPno.

Perc. 1

Perc.2

Perc.3

5

5:3

4:3

p

78

Flowing, slowly descending81

q=80

ToyPno.

Perc. 1

Perc.2

Perc.3

p

with butt end of stick

f

p

5:3

resonant piece ofunpitched metal

sfz

with butt end of stick

p

8

82

ToyPno.

Perc. 1

Perc.2

Perc.3

mf

85

ToyPno.

Perc. 1

Perc.2

Perc.3

with butt end of stick

p

mf

87

ToyPno.

Perc. 1

Perc.2

Perc.3

p

5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5

9

89

ToyPno.

Perc. 1

Perc.2

Perc.3

mf

5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5

91

ToyPno.

Perc. 1

Perc.2

Perc.3

5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5

93

ToyPno.

Perc. 1

Perc.2

Perc.3

5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5

10

95

ToyPno.

Perc. 1

Perc.2

Perc.3

5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5

97

ToyPno.

Perc. 1

Perc.2

Perc.3

5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5

99

Fragmented

100 q=72

ToyPno.

Perc. 1

Perc.2

Perc.3

5

5

sfz

resonant piece ofunpitched metal w/ mallet head

5 5 5 5

f

resonant piece ofunpitched metal w/ mallet head

sfz

11

101

ToyPno.

Perc. 1

Perc.2

Perc.3

5

6

5

f

3

5:43

f

f

sfz

3

104

ToyPno.

Perc. 1

Perc.2

Perc.3

5

sfz

f

3

5:4

sfz

f

f

3

107

ToyPno.

Perc. 1

Perc.2

Perc.3

3

3 5:43

12

110

Flowing, slowly descending111

q=80

ToyPno.

Perc. 1

Perc.2

Perc.3

6 6 6 6

sfz

p

p

f

112

ToyPno.

Perc. 1

Perc.2

Perc.3

6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6

p

114

ToyPno.

Perc. 1

Perc.2

Perc.3

6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6

mf

13

116

ToyPno.

Perc. 1

Perc.2

Perc.3

6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6

mf

p

points and fractures q=72118

ToyPno.

Perc. 1

Perc.2

Perc.3

f

p

f

f

p

f

p

f

f

p

f

f

f

p 6 6

122

ToyPno.

Perc. 1

Perc.2

Perc.3

f

p

f

p

3 3

p

f

p

f

3 3 3

f

p

f

14

126

breaking free, flowering128

q=80

ToyPno.

Perc. 1

Perc.2

Perc.3

solo

6 6 6 6

f

p

sfz

f

p

sfz

3 3

f

p sfz

129

ToyPno.

Perc. 1

Perc.2

Perc.3

6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6

131

ToyPno.

Perc. 1

Perc.2

Perc.3

6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6

15

133

ToyPno.

Perc. 1

Perc.2

Perc.3

6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6

135

ToyPno.

Perc. 1

Perc.2

Perc.3

6 6 6 6 6 6

137

ToyPno.

Perc. 1

Perc.2

Perc.3

6 6 6 6 6 6

16

139

ToyPno.

Perc. 1

Perc.2

Perc.3

6 6 6 6 6 6

141

ToyPno.

Perc. 1

Perc.2

Perc.3

6 6 6 6 6 6

grotesque143

ToyPno.

Perc. 1

Perc.2

Perc.3

f

f

f

17

145

ToyPno.

Perc. 1

Perc.2

Perc.3

bursting with joy147

147

ToyPno.

Perc. 1

Perc.2

Perc.3

6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6

6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6

f

6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6

f

f

5

5 5 5

5 5 5

5

149

ToyPno.

Perc. 1

Perc.2

Perc.3

6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6

6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6

6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6

5 5

5 5 5

5 5 5

18

harsh & oppressive151

ToyPno.

Perc. 1

Perc.2

Perc.3

f

f

f

153

ToyPno.

Perc. 1

Perc.2

Perc.3

6 6 6 6

6 6 6 6

f

6 6 6 6

f

f

5

5 5 5

155

ToyPno.

Perc. 1

Perc.2

Perc.3

6 6 6 6

6 6 6 6

f

6 6 6 6

f

f

5 5 5

5

19

157

ToyPno.

Perc. 1

Perc.2

Perc.3

hit topof toy pianowith palm of hand

sfz

6 6 6 6

6 6 6 6

f

sfz

6 6 6 6

f

sfz

f

sfz

5

5 5 5

20

Daniel Harrison

Vague, like a distant memory q = 48

II.

Toy Piano

Percussion 1

Percussion 2

Percussion 3

Ab Harm.Low reg.

Ab Harm.Med. reg.

Db Harm.Low reg.

B Harm.Low reg.

med. reg.

5

Pno.

Perc.

Perc.

Perc.

med. reg.

9

Pno.

Perc.

Perc.

Perc.

3

high wineglass

13

Pno.

Perc.

Perc.

Perc.

3

3

high reg.

17

Pno.

Perc.

Perc.

Perc.

3

3

high wineglass

2124

Pno.

Perc.

Perc.

Perc.

3 3

2

25

Pno.

Perc.

Perc.

Perc.

high wineglass

29

Pno.

Perc.

Perc.

Perc.

3

low wineglass

low wineglass

33

Pno.

Perc.

Perc.

Perc.

3

3

3

37

Pno.

Perc.

Perc.

Perc.

3

4141

Pno.

Perc.

Perc.

Perc.

3

3 3

45

Pno.

Perc.

Perc.

Perc.

4

49

Pno.

Perc.

Perc.

Perc.

3 3

53

Pno.

Perc.

Perc.

Perc.

57

Cincinnati, OH 5/21-10/28/15

Pno.

Perc.

Perc.

Perc.

slowly fade out together

5