Switch

Switch builds on several familiar themes in Andrew Norman's music, notably the hyperkinetic play between soloist and ensemble and the juxtaposition of a strict control of musical elements versus a freedom from that control. The piece takes full advantage of the theatric and athletic style of performance that solo percussionists naturally bring to the concert hall. The soloist bounds onto the stage at the start of the piece to catch his first entrance and begin a journey through what can best be described as the game of Switch. There are narrative twists and turns intercut one on top of the other throughout the duration with the orchestra and soloist taking turns controlling (or not) the events of the narrative.

The use of individual percussion instruments to trigger different sections of the orchestra keeps listeners guessing and focused on the soloist one moment, individual sections of the orchestra in the next moment. Switch culminates with the soloist and orchestra finding their own separate paths out of the game; the rules are suddenly suspended and the solo percussionist sets to working out a quietly inquisitive triadic theme on tuned gongs. In the stunning and stirring closing moments, the soloist strikes a final E on tuned gongs before turning and slowly walking off stage.