When I first started to look for material for this essay, I was quite clear in my mind that
there is a requirement for a review of the current instrumentation. When the sole reason for
maintaining a status quo is that it has tradition behind it, then the time has come for a review.
However, I now find myself changing my mind. Composers such as Philip Wilby do not seem
constrained, they find new colour by experimenting with the sounds available from three
percussionists, or from new mutes, or mutes in unlikely uses, such as the use of a muted pedal F
(concert pitch) in the bass trombone in his Variations on a theme of Paganini.