I’ve just posted the recording of the premiere performance of “Asphalt Cocktail.” The performance was on Saturday, March 28, at Bates Recital Hall at the University of Texas. The ass-kicking performance was with the Michigan State Wind Symphony, conducted by Kevin Sedatole.

A word about the recording… Bates is an incredible hall for listening, but this recording sounds a little bit flat dynamically. I assume they’re running some compression while they record so the recordings don’t distort, and I do prefer this compressed sound to a distorted recording. Just keep in mind that in person, the piece is exponentially more visceral. The visuals alone — of Kevin rocking out on the podium, and of the entire percussion section (not to mention the smashing of the trash can into the floor on back beats in the big climax around 5:06 in) — make a huge difference. Still, you’ll get the idea.

Oh, and if you are a high school student in Texas, you should ask your director to program this piece for UIL next year. Don’t you want to smash a trash can into the floor and play a marching snare drum (indoors!) in front of the UIL judges?