Locklair: Constellations: Orgue et Accomp.

A concerto for Organ and one Percussion player (Percussion parts available separately), Constellations was completed in November of 1980 and was composed for percussionist Joe Roma, to whom it is dedicated.

The piece explores two of the most potent musical sound sources: Percussion and the pipe Organ. Constellations‘ four movements are named after stellar constellations:

1. Caput serpentis (The SerpentHead)

2. Cygnus (The Swan)

3. Pegasus (The Winged Horse)

4. Cauda serpentis (The Serpent Tail)

Although in four distinct movements, the form of Constellations, in the abstract sense,consists of two movements since the first three serve as an exposition to the fourth movement. The fourth movement is not only similar in length to the opening three, but also serves as a type of development and recapitulation tothe entire composition. The pandiatonic harmonic materials of the highly rhythmic Movement 1. serve as a binding element to the entire piece, reappearing throughout the composition in many different guises and, ultimately, bringsthe work to a close.

Constellations was given its World Premiere by Joe Roma with the composer as organist in May of 1981 in Binghamton, New York.