Gene Koshinski's video: Free Spins II Roulette by Gene Koshinski

"Free Spins" (II. Max Roulette) by Gene Koshinski for bass clarinet, 2 percussion, and pre-recorded electronics Performed by: Theodore Schoen, bass clarinet Gene Koshinski and Tim Broscious, percussion Video: Marc Hill Audio: Dan Schoen Recored at Weber Music Hall - U of Minnesota Duluth MALLETS: Innovative Percussion - IP301 Vibraphone Mallets (would also recommend RS40), AA20 Med Soft Vibraphone, Artisan Series IP5004 Marimba Mallets. PROGRAM NOTES The sights and sounds of a casino are overwhelming. Free Spins musically encapsulates the casino experience with just the right amount of excitement, hopefulness, hopelessness, overthinking, and regret. All of the pre-recorded electronics are derived from casino sounds - primarily slot machines but also two bingo halls and a roulette wheel. The piece opens by musically describing the moment you arrive at the casino - that beautiful “sensory overload” when the casino doors open. The first movement moves on as a player sits down and explores a slot machine. In the case of movement II, a man describes his “foolproof” strategy on the roulette table as movement III brings a melancholy (perhaps regretful) feel to the gambling experience while sitting in the bingo hall. The final movement depicts the excitement of finally hitting the bonus on a slot machine, just to immediately be disappointed by its short duration and lack of a windfall. Free Spins was commissioned by clarinetist Theodore Schoen. When Ted approached me to write him a piece, I knew it had to be something out of the ordinary, something with “pizzazz.” While Ted is not a gambler, something about his personality and this combination of instruments seemed to click with the idea of this piece. Good luck…