As one would expect of a percussion concerto, major sections of Joseph Schwantner's Percussion Concerto are energetic, fast, and emphatic. But the largest of the work's three movements is the "misterioso" second movement. It was commissioned by the New York Philharmonic Orchestra for the 1992 observance of its 150th anniversary, but was scarcely begun by the end of that year. In December, Stephen Albert, one of the finest American composers, died suddenly at a relatively young age. The shock spurred Schwantner into working on the concerto, which was premiered by the Philharmonic with soloist Christopher Lamb on January 6, 1995.

The concerto calls upon the soloist to move between two positions on stage. In the first movement, he (or she) is stationed with an assortment of part of the 20 instruments used in the solo part next to the percussion section of the main orchestra. The orchestra's percussions thus form a body of collaborators who extend the soloist's part. An amplified marimba and group of drums are the main solo instruments; the marimba is primarily melodic here.

For the second movement, the soloist moves to center stage to play a vibraphone, bells, and other ringing metallic instruments while the other percussionists remain silent. There is a prominent "heartbeat" rhythm. The third movement follows without pause, the soloist improvising while walking back to the primary original position. The music becomes very high-energy, with the marimba now playing fast chords in four-part harmony.

© Joseph Stevenson, All Music Guide