(1896 - 1970)
Roberto Gerhard studied piano in Barcelona with Granados and composition with Pedrell. He was a pupil of Schoenberg in Vienna and Berlin. On his return to Barcelona, his first Spanish serial pieces included the Wind Quintet. He worked during the 1930s as a composer, music professor and editor at the Catalan Library. Gerhard undertook collaborative projects with Mirò in Ariel and Massine and Ballets Russes de Monte Carlo in Soirées de Barcelone. Settling in the UK, he struggled to achieve musical recognition. The 1940s saw his composition of the ballet Don Quixote and his opera The Duenna, which effectively combine Catalan folk elements with individualised serial technique. His music of 1930s and 40s is underpinned by infectious dance rhythms and colourful orchestration. Popular acclaim only really came in the 1960s through support of the BBC and numerous prestigious commissions.
Roberto Gerhard Composition Timpani and Percussion Requirements
Concerto for Eight
Solo percussion
Marimba, vibraphone, glockenspiel, 4 Chinese tom toms, 3 temple blocks, plectrum, tam tam, orchestral bass drum, 3 suspended cymbals, bass bow, maracas, claves, whip, antique cymbals, tambourine
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Don Quixote (complete ballet)
Timpani + 4 percussion
Xylophone, triangle, 3 Korean temple blocks, maracas, tambourine, 3 Chinese tom toms, snare drum, orchestral bass drum, suspended cymbal, clash cymbals, large gong, tam tam
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Symphony No.1 (1952-53)
Timpani + 2 percussion
3 Chinese toms, 2 suspended cymbals, snare drum, tambourine, orchestral bass drum, tam tam, xylophone, 2 triangles
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The Duenna
Timpani + 3 percussion + celeste
Xylophone, castanets, ratchet, 3 Chinese tom, temple bell, tambourine, snare drum, orchestral bass drum, 2 x suspended cymbal, clash cymbals, tam tam, celeste
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Violin Concerto
Timpani + 3 percussion
Clash cymbals, 3 Chinese tom toms, tam tam, xylophone, gong, snare drum, vibraphone, tambourine, castanets, orchestral bass drum
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