London Bridge by Alan Abel brings to life the early moments of a first music lesson by a reluctant and slightly incorrigible student. You hear the melody and then you don’t, followed by the sharp crack of teacher’s ruler across the students fingers. The melody is finally rescued by the rest of the ensemble in a contrapuntal treatment. This piece even comes complete with a surprise ending.
Number of Players: 6
Difficulty: Grade 3
Instrumentation:
Player I: Xylophone, Slap Stick, Triangle, Bongos, Hand Cymbal
Player II: Chimes, Gong, Triangle, Vibes
Player III: Celeste, Gong, Chimes, Bells, Woodblock, Chinese Cymbal, Suspended Cymbal
Player IV: Xylophone, Chimes, Bass Drum
Player V: Timpani (5), Bells, Tambourine
Player VI: Snare Drum, Bass Drum, Woodblock or Temple Blocks
Alan Abel is a graduate of Ohio State University and has played with the Columbus Symphony, the late Glenn Miller and David Rose. He has taught at Columbia University, lectured at the American Museum of Natural History and was profiled by the New Yorker Magazine.
