How fast/long can this be played?

[squoze]

I am orchestrating Debussy's "Mouvement" from his "Images for Piano", just for the fun of it.
movegpo.mp3 (http://www.datalane.net/tcc/movegpo.mp3) 1MB, 1min.
But I would like to know if I would be asking too much for a viola player (or other player) to play it at the speed I am using (~70 bpm). Its basically 16th note triplets, but there's something going throughout the entire song (~5:00 at this speed). I can give him some breaks, but wondered how long he could keep it up.
Would most instruments be able to play it-at least for a few measures?
I would guess the woodwinds could, but not, say, a trombone.
I guess a harp could play this fast also?
The original piano version is much faster (~100 bpm, 3 minutes). I know I'm probably under-estimating what can be done, so set me straight. :)
Thanks,
Tom C.

[Jerry W.]

Well, I know that Schubert's "Erlkonig" (the Elf King) song has the triplets playing throughout most of the piano accompaniment (represents the horses hooves running) and that is eighth note triplets at about 110-120 bpm.

it takes a lot of practice to be able to do that without massive muscle fatigue, but it is possible. :)

:) for what that it is worth.

Jerry Wickham

[Jerry W.]

Whoops - I meant to comment on your particular question! :)

Your piece doesn't seem to be too bad - as long as it isn't sustained repeated notes in the triplets. (like in Erlkonig, full three and four note chords are repeated over and over) These sound more like non contiuous notes (i.e. c-d-e) rather than (c-c-c) which would be a bit harder to do fast.

Make sense?

Jerry

[Nickie Fønshauge]

Sounds good Tom. You don't have to worry about those triplets, they shouldn't be a problem for pro musicians. They may have to practice though, and they will probably hate you for it :D

[squoze]

Thanks a bunch, guys, for taking the time to offer your comments.
I appreciate it!