Desi

From Wind Repertory Project
Michael Daugherty

Michael Daugherty


General Info

Year: 1991
Duration: c. 5:35
Difficulty: VI (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Peer Music Ltd.
Cost: Score and Parts - Rental   |   Score Only - $15.00


Instrumentation

Full Score
Piccolo
Flute I-II
Oboes I-II
Bassoon I-II
B-flat Soprano Clarinet I-II
Trumpet (in Bb or C) I-II-III-IV
Horns in F I-II-III-IV
Trombone I-II
Bass Trombone
Tuba
String Bass
Piano
Percussion I-II-III, including:

  • Bongos
  • Cymbals
  • Glockenspiel
  • Vibraphone
  • Xylophone


Errata

None discovered thus far.


Program Notes

Desi for symphonic winds was premiered at the 1991 College Band Directors National Association Convention in Kansas City. The composition is a tribute to Desi Arnaz, who played the Cuban bandleader Ricky Ricardo alongside his wife Lucille Ball in I Love Lucy, widely regarded as one of the most innovative television comedy shows of the 1950s.

The opening rhythmic motive is derived from the Conga Dance made famous by Arnaz when he sang and played bongos in Hollywood film musicals in the 1940's. In Desi, the bongo soloist and percussion section provide a lively counterpoint to intricately structured canons and four-note cluster chords, creating polyrhythmic layers that intensify and build to a sizzling conclusion. Desi evokes a Latin sound punctuated by big band trumpets, trombone glissandi, and dazzling woodwind runs.

- Program Note from score


Media


State Ratings

None discovered thus far.


Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project

  • University of North Carolina School of the Arts (Winston-Salem) Wind Ensemble (Mark A. Norman, conductor) - 24 September 2022
  • University of Florida (Gainesville) Wind Symphony (David Waybright, conductor) – 4 April 2019
  • Florida International University (Miami) Wind Ensemble (Brenton F. Alston, conductor) – 3 October 2018
  • University of Oklahoma (Norman) Wind Symphony (Donald Linn, conductor) – 20 November 2017
  • Ball State University (Muncie, Ind.) Wind Ensemble (Ryan Lovell, conductor) – 28 April 2017
  • University of Nebraska (Lincoln) Symphonic Band (Anthony Falcone, conductor) – 28 April 2017
  • University of Miami (Fla.) Frost Symphonic Winds (Robert Carnochan, conductor) – 26 April 2017
  • Michigan State University (East Lansing) Symphony Band (John T. Madden, conductor) – 25 April 2017
  • Kennesaw (Ga.) State University Wind Symphony (Debra Traficante, conductor) – 14 November 2016
  • Northwestern University Symphonic Band (Shawn Vondran, conductor) – 3 June 2016
  • Kansas State University (Manhattan) Wind Ensemble (Frank Tracz, conductor) – 18 March 2016 (CBDNA 2016 Southwestern Division Conference, Boulder, Colo.)
  • Western Michigan University (Kalamazoo) Symphonic Band (Scott Boerma, conductor) – 27 February 2016 (CBDNA 2016 North Central Division Conference, Ames, Iowa)
  • Vista Ridge High School (Cedar Park, Tx.) Wind Ensemble (Bryan D. Christian, conductor) – 19 December 2014 (2014 Midwest Clinic)
  • Strasbourg Conservatory of Music (Strasbourg, France) (Miguel Etchegoncelay, conductor) - June 2012


Works for Winds by This Composer

Adaptable Music


All Wind Works



Resources

  • McGarvey, Timothy D. Desi, Bizzaro, and Motown Metal: The Wind and Percussion Music of Michael Daugherty. 1987.University of Cincinnati, D.M.A. dissertation.