Bizarro from Metropolis Symphony

Description

During the composition of the Metropolis Symphony, I created a work inspired by another foe of Superman: Bizarro (created by Lex Luthor's duplicating ray) is an imperfect copy of Superman, with spiky black hair and Frankenstein-like features. My nine-minute composition Bizarro is scored for woodwinds, large brass section, piano, electric bass, and a sizable percussion battery that includes three rock and roll drummers. Bizarro inhabits a musical world without strings, and revels in the brash energies of rock and big band jazz, propelled on his course by a fast tempo and rhythmic excitement. Melodic fragments coalesce, contrapuntally, into a swinging yet menacing little theme that is previewed by the flutes and piccolo, taken up by a solo trumpet, and finally peformed in a virtuoso canon for three trombones and four trumpets. Volume and intensity keep building as the monstrous Bizarro careens out of control. (1993)Written during a period overlapping the composer's Metropolis Symphony, this work is inspired by another foe of Superman, Bizarro, who is an imperfect copy of Superman created by Lex Luthor's Duplicating Ray. Bizarro inhabits an upsidedown world and revels in the brash energies of rock and big band jazz. Propelled on his course by three rock and roll drummers, fast tempi and rhythmic excitement make this a rousing addition to any concert. Duration - ca. 9:30