Michael Daugherty: Desi (Full Score)

Full Score of Michael Daugherty's Desi (1991) for Symphonic Wind Band.
Published by Faber Music.

Instrumentation: 3(III=picc).2.2.2 - 4.4.2 trbn.btrbn.tuba - perc(4):glsp/xyl/vib/bongos/cyms - pno - elec bgtr/amp stringbass

'This work is a tribute to the persona of Desi Arnaz (1917-87), 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 1950's. 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 musical canons and four-note cluster cords, 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.'

~ Michael Daugherty