Inflection Point

by Christopher Whyte

Medium-Advanced Concert Percussion

8 Players

Instrumentation: 

• Crotales (2 octaves)
• Glockenspiel
• 2 Vibraphones + 4 bass bows
• 2 Marimbas — (1) 4-octave, (1) 5-octave
• 5 Impact drums — mix of low concert toms, floor toms, mounted kick drums, mounted marching bass drums, etc.
• 3 Graduated drums (high, medium, low)
• 3 Graduated wood sounds (high, medium, low) — woodblocks, wood slats, high temple blocks, or combination of the above

Inflection Point by Christopher Whyte is a percussion ensemble work for eight players. Inspired by the mathematical and metaphorical idea of an inflection point—a moment of turning or transformation—the piece reflects rapid societal change and the interplay between upheaval and stagnation.

The work is permeated by membranophones; every player has at least one drum. The keyboard instruments primarily provide texture, shades of F Mixolydian and Dorian modes, and ultimately a harmonic resolution based upon a six-note motif introduced near the beginning. The different sections of the piece flow subtly and gradually from one to another through the use of metric modulation and dynamic nuance.

Inflection Point is an engaging and substantial work for high school or collegiate ensembles, offering performers a deep exploration of rhythm, texture, dynamics, and transformation.

This piece ships as a fully bound score. Individual parts come exclusively in PDF format.