Spero - Michael Burritt (Featuring Michael Burritt, Soloist and the 2022 CHQ Percussion Ensemble)

Spero (meaning "hope" in Latin) is a percussion ensemble concerto piece that features the soloist performing on snare drum and cajon and a quartet performing on various instruments, including one player on the grand piano. By utilizing lots of percussion instruments, this work produces different colors of sound and texture. With its complex time signatures, rhythmic figures, octatonic harmonies, and polyrhythmic organization, this unique composition produces an interesting groove that cannot be found in any other work.
The 2022 Chautauqua Percussion Ensemble consists of percussionists from the 2022 Chautauqua Music School Festival Orchestra. Members include Laura Lamb, Olly Bangia, Diego Zavaleta, and myself. The percussion ensemble is coached by Michael Burritt, Professor of Percussion at the Eastman School of Music. We hope you enjoy the performance.