While summer should include some rest and relaxation it can also be a time, for those of us in academia especially, to get some big things done. My big project this summer is to learn Maki Isshi’s Concertante for a trip later this summer to Japan. I’ve always wanted to learn and perform this work and since I’m going to Japan I’m going to find a way to make it happen! If you want, check out the PATV below which addresses summer opportunities, and leave some thoughts for the DC community. Do you have any big projects that you want to complete this summer? Going to any percussion related seminars?
httpvh://youtu.be/_xgQOG1JWIU
** BTW: Openings are still available for the Longhorn Marimba Intensive! This year our guest artist is PAS Hall of Fame member, and marimba guru, Gordon Stout! Click the link above for registration and more information.
I still remember the first time I performed Bicksa during my undergrad. At that point in my career, it was largest piece I had ever set up and at first, I hated it. But, after many rehearsals and late nights, I realized what a great piece it was! Bicksa was written by Thom Hasenpflug. I have been fortunate to get to know Thom and his music over the years and I happy to finally spread the news about his new piece, Smoke and Mirrors. The piece was premiered on last week by the Ensemble Schlagwerk Wien, directed by Nebojsa J Zivkovic. This post features the video of the dress rehearsal. If you don’t know Thom’s music, please go to his website and check out his pieces.
Originally posted on DrumChattr on May 13, 2014 by Dave Gerhart.
Oblivion by Astor Piazzolla
Recorded by Aaron Jester at the University of Oregon’s Beall Hall.
Mallets: Innovative Percussion Pius Cheung Series #1, 3, 3, 4
Originally posted on DrummChattr.com on April 4, 2014 by Dave Gerhart
Over the past three years, we have tried to spotlight some “hidden gems” that we want to share with our readers (Jolivet’s Rhapsody for Seven or Satie’s Parade). I can’t believe we have never featured Baljinder Sekhon on DrumChattr so today I would like to correct this wrong and introduce his piece Sun. I was introduced to this piece by Scott Ney at PASIC a couple of years ago. I finally got around to programming it last year and not only did the students like performing the piece, it was also an audience favorite. The colors and textures are beautiful! I would highly recommend checking this out for your next percussion ensemble program.
From the video listing on YouTube:
“Scores for three percussionists, SUN explores a variety of musical energies. From tired phrases to extended climactic passages to short-lived bursts of sound, many segments of music are intertwined and overlaid in a way that creates a singular event (the piece) with various “flares” of sound on its surface. These segments are often separated by silent moments that, because of their context, each express a different type of energy.
The instrumentation of the individual percussion parts are very similar; that is, each percussionist has one keyboard instrument, “skin” (containing a drum head), wood, and metal. In addition, all of the percussionists share one large cymbal that is central to the staging. At times the three percussion parts are treated as one large instrument with three performers working towards one musical character. This orchestration and interaction alternates with each performer executing their own layers of sound to create a heterophonic texture. The percussionists use a multitude of techniques to create a palette of nuanced sounds. In addition to common performance practices, they use their hands, fingers, knuckles, and fingernails to muffle, modify, and create a large spectrum of characteristics.
This work was made possible through a commission from the Volta Trio. I would like to offer a special thanks to Paul Coleman for his recording expertise, the Eastman Composition and Percussion departments, Eastman Concert Office, and Christopher Clarino, Sean Connors, and Erik Lutters of the Volta Trio for their extreme dedication and hard work.”
Originally posted on DrummChattr.com on January 17, 2014 by Dave Gerhart
