Crossing by Benjamin Holmes

In Crossing, Benjamin Holmes paints a picture of American railroad crossings. With an entirely unpitched instrumentation, the shared Zil-Bel and brake drum at the center of the setup maintain a steady beat, representing the ringing of the crossing bells. The space between these bells is filled with complex rhythms and grooves on two sets of drums, representing the sounds of rail cars in motion, covered in graffiti art.

This advanced multipercussion duet is filled with brilliant textures, focusing largely on hocketed passages between the players. Complex rudimental figures are interspersed with metallic sounds as both players trade phrases and support each other. The resulting sound is one of unity, as though a single entity is controlling the whole setup. Holmes has created a refreshing addition to the multipercussion repertoire, ideal for performance on recitals or contests by a pair of skilled players!