Qui Tollis: Percussion Ensemble Score & Parts

Qui Tollis demands serious percussion players and rewards them with a sophisticated ten-minute arc that treats amplified percussion as a textural and harmonic instrument, not just rhythmic accompaniment. The integration of pre-recorded samples alongside live performance creates a bridge between acoustic and electronic worlds that feels essential rather than gimmicky, and the liturgical text provides conceptual depth that resonates with audiences.

Qui Tollis unfolds with meditative intensity, layering shimmering glockenspiels and vibraphone over deeper tom and gong textures. The piece inhabits a liminal space between ritual and abstraction, where the Agnus Dei text hovers as spiritual subtext while the actual sounds remain resolutely contemporary and sometimes austere.

Advanced percussion ensembles with the technical facility to handle multiple mallets, rapid passage work, and independent lines across pitched and unpitched instruments. This work suits programs with access to quality amplification equipment and musicians comfortable integrating live performance with playback technology.

• Balance the live percussion against the pre-recorded samples during rehearsal so neither overwhelms; the amplification should enhance clarity, not mask the players' execution.
• Establish clear communication between your players and whoever is managing the recorded material; treat the samples as a fifth ensemble member.
• Explore the resonance of the gongs and vibraphone across different dynamic ranges; their sustained tones interact with the sharper attacks of the glockenspiels and toms in ways that shift depending on volume and space.
• Plan your amplification setup early; the specific mic placement and speaker positioning affect how the piece breathes and will shape your rehearsal priorities.

This works as a centerpiece in a modern music concert or as part of a program exploring sacred texts in contemporary composition. Pair it with other chamber works for percussion or electroacoustic pieces to create a cohesive set that challenges audience expectations about what percussion ensemble music can be.

• Four-part independence on pitched percussion instruments
• Coordination between live playing and synchronized playback
• Mallet control across glockenspiels, vibraphone, and marimba in rapid passages
• Extended techniques and dynamic shaping on gongs and cymbals
• Listening and response skills in amplified ensemble settings