Featured Composition: Song of ‘Almah - Andrew Beall

"Beall has found the key to composing for marimba and soprano"
~PAS News
"Strong, honest, and musically sincere"
~Gordon Stout

3 Versions!
1. Marimba & Soprano
2. Marimba & Cello
3. Marimba, Soprano, and Strings


Watch the premiere (marimba and soprano, with strings):
-Movement 1
-Movement 2
-Movement 3

Andrew Beall’s Song of ‘Almah is a moving three-movement work, based on the text of the Biblical “Song of Solomon.” The soprano (or cello) part is lyrical and virtuosic, and the marimba alternates roles between rich accompaniment and solo melodic voice.

The Song of ‘Almah was originally conceived for voice (singing text from the “Song of Solomon”), but the passionate timbre and soulfulness of the cello proved a perfect instrumental substitute for the soprano. The arrangement with 5 string parts adds further depth, drama, and lush accompaniment, which can be performed with full string orchestra or a simple string quintet. For more information on Beall’s Song of ‘Almah and for audio samples of all three versions, click the following links: marimba and soprano, marimba and cello, marimba and soprano with strings.

Featured Book: How to Write for Percussion – Samuel Solomon


How to Write for Percussion, written by Samuel Solomon (percussion soloist, faculty at The Boston Conservatory and Boston University) is THE definitive book on composing for percussion, and it has garnered rave reviews:

“A true contribution to the literature of orchestration.” - Samuel Adler, Professor Emeritus, Eastman School of Music; Composition Faculty, The Juilliard School; Author, The Study of Orchestration.

This book is a must-have for composers (experts and percussion-writing novices), arrangers, conductors, and performers. For more information, click HERE.

Featured Media: (CD) 18th Century Concertos for Timpani and Orchestra – Jonathan Haas


This unique recording, by timpani virtuoso Jonathan Haas and the Bournemouth Sinfonietta (directed by Harold Farberman), consists of three little-known Classical-period works that feature timpani in a solo role:

~Johann Fischer (1752-1807) – Symphony for Eight Timpani and Orchestra

~George Druschetzky (1745-1819) – Partita in C Major and Concerto for Oboe, Eight Timpani and Orchestra


These rare pieces, some of the earliest works prominently featuring the timpani as a solo instrument, deserve to be heard by all percussionists and Classical enthusiasts. To hear audio samples, click HERE. And, for purchasing information, click HERE.

Featured Composer: Pablo Rieppi


Pablo Rieppi is truly a man about town (in New York City). He has performed with the New York Philharmonic, the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, the American Symphony Orchestra, and he is the Principal Percussionist of the Gotham Symphony Orchestra. Pablo has played in a number of contemporary music ensembles and Broadway shows (including Legally Blonde and West Side Story) and with jazz and R&B greats, including Joe Zawinul, Aretha Franklin, and Ray Charles.

Pablo’s compositions have won film festival awards (music for the film Blackballed: The Bobby Dukes Story) and been performed by the New York University Percussion Ensemble and VisionIntoArt (on tour in Italy). Bachovich carries Pablo’s book Snare Drum Technique: Essential Exercises for Daily Practice, which provides the perfect warm-up routine for all drummers (beginner and professional; classical, rudimental, and set player).

Good luck Pablo on what is surely a busy fall 2009.

Highlights

~Congratulations!: To the winners of the Ironworks Percussion Duo 2nd Annual Composition Contest: Joel Harrison (1st place) with marimba duet Why Has the Hunter Not Returned?, and Tizoc Ceballos (2nd place) with multi-percussion duet Ollin. Joel also recently received 3 new composition grants and released a new CD, Urban Myths, on Highnote Records. For more information on Joel, please visit www.joelharrison.com. For more information on Tizoc, please visit tizocceballos.com.
For more information on the Ironworks Percussion Duo, visit www.ironworkspercussion.com.

~Gold Medalists: Congrats to the Boston Crusaders Percussion Ensemble for winning the DCI Percussion Ensemble Competition with the 3rd Mvt. of Bachovich composer Andrew Beall's percussion concerto, Affirmation.

Watch the video on Youtube and below:



~CimbFest a Success: In June, Bachovich composer Richard Grimes hosted and directed the first American Concert Cimbalom Festival (www.cimbfest.com) in Lancaster, MA at Atlantic Union College.



~Bachovich Welcomes New Composers: Jared Soldiviero and his groovin' multi-percussion duet Palindromes; Pablo Bagilet and his heart-wrenching Argentinean Suite for vibraphone, Tizoc Ceballos and his award-winning multi-percussion duet Ollin, and Rich Greenblatt and his 3 hot jazz vibes CDs: Mooin', Hot & Dry , and Hat Trick.

~We've Gone Global: Bachovich continues to expand, with sales in England, Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, Spain, China, Taiwan, Luxembourg, Switzerland, and Hungary.