Libertango has always been one of my favorite arrangements on marimba. This composition was written by Astor Piazzolla in 1974 and has been covered by many ensembles since. In 2010, I featured Jasmin Kolberg performing Eric Sammut’s arrangement of Libertango. Today’s video features a performance by Japanese marimba virtuoso Kana Omori. Click here to purchase Kana Omori’s arrangement of Libertango.
Where did the summer go? It feels like the kids just got out of school. It has been a busy summer for me and I am looking forward to some time to catch up and hang out with my family. Thanks to everyone who supported the Hasenpflug Consortium. As of last week, it has been fully funded. I can’t wait to working with Thom on the new piece. One of my goals this summer was to read more. Below are some of the books I am reading along with some lists for future reading. Please leave a comment and let me know what you are reading. There are so many books and so little time! (more…)
Rhapsody in Blue by George Gershwin performed by Pius Cheung & Eriko Daimo. This is a new arranged for marimba duo by Pius Cheung.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LuV5rwDznGE
Matt Penland and Jake Harpster performing “flowerpot music no. 1” by Elliot Cole. I saw this piece live at the 2018 Northwest Percussion Festival and I fell in love with it. This is just one of many great pieces by Elliot Cole.
Summer is here! What are your plans and goals? I am going to be traveling a lot this summer and my summer goal is read more. I am currently reading Gut: The Inside Story of Our Body’s Most Underrated Organ (Revised Edition)
From the YouTube description: “Bwazan members, Khalifa and Bassidi Koné play a balafon and djembe duet during rehearsal at Maison des Jeunes, Bamako, Mali (Khalifa on balafon and Bassidi on djembe). In Bamako, Bassidi Kone leads his longstanding percussion group, Bwazan. For more information, check out the websites of Bassidi and Bwazan.
Summer is around the corner! Hard to believe. What are your summer plans? Are you going to learn a new piece or read some books? Leave a comment below and let me know. I am looking forward to traveling with my family as well as getting in shape. In the previous “Percussion Education Reads 5/25/18”, I have included links on how to become a better writer. It is something I continue to work on and I hope these posts were helpful. Today’s edition include some posts about productivity, Bullet Journaling and how to make better decisions. Enjoy. (more…)
This is a beautiful performance of “Japurá River” by Philip Glass. I could listen to this all day. This video is performed & arranged by Third Coast Percussion (Sean Connors, Robert Dillon, Peter Martin, David Skidmore).
It is Memorial Day Weekend in the US and I am looking forward to spending some time with my family and friends. I am also playing Coppelia with the Long Beach Ballet. I have been reading a lot of articles about becoming a better writer. Below are some links to more resources. Have a great weekend. (more…)
This is a great interview with Steven Schick and Luis Urrea talking about Stravinsky’s “L’Histoire du Soldat”. I hope there is a recording of the performance. I would love to see the performance with the new text.
From YouTube: “Luis Urrea is a prolific writer who uses his dual-culture life experiences to explore greater themes of love, loss and triumph. Born in Tijuana to a Mexican father and American mother, Urrea is the critically acclaimed, best-selling author of 16 books. He talks with Steven Schick about his life and work, and their collaboration on a new version of Stravinsky’s “L’Histoire du Soldat” with texts from Urrea’s writings. Recorded on 2/1/2018. Series: “Helen Edison Lecture Series”
Skype Lessons with Dr. Gerhart