The 1st and 3rd works for orchestra ; the 2nd work for percussion ensemble of 13 players on 3 bass drums, 2 tenor drums, 2 snare drums, tarole, 2 bongos, tambourine, field drum, crash cymbal, suspended cymbals, 3 tam-tams, gong, 2 anvils, 2 triangles, sleigh bells, cowbell, chimes, glockenspiel, piano, 3 temple blocks, claves, maracas, castanets, whip, güiro, high and low sirens, and a lion's roar.
First work recorded 1975 December 1 Manhattan Center, New York City.
Second and third works recorded 1977 February 12 Manhattan Center, New York City.
Amériques : for full orchestra (24:13) -- Ionisation : for 13 percussionists (5:56) -- Arcana : for full orchestra (18:41)