Featured Composition: Nessun Dorma for Percussion Ensemble by Puccini/arr. D. Soulier

Nessun Dorma (arranged by Danny Soulier) is Puccini’s beautiful, famous aria from Turandot in an arrangement for a large percussion ensemble of 13 to 14 players [instrumentation includes: glockenspiel, 2 vibraphones, xylophone, chimes, 4 or 5 marimbas (4.3 and 4.5), timpani, suspended and crash cymbals, triangle, bass drum, and gong]. The lyrical vocal line is played by solo/duo marimba, and parts of the conclusion of the opera are included to close out the arrangement. Chordal marimba passages bring out the warm, rich harmonies in the aria, and vibraphones stand in for off-stage choir. This large work is great for high school and college percussion ensembles and this crowd-pleaser is a perfect introduction to one of the most passionate, beautiful pieces of classical music. To hear an audio sample, click HERE.

Featured Book: The Additive Method of Two-Mallet Study by Gene Koshinski

Gene Koshinski’s new book, The Additive Method of Two-Mallet Study, is designed to address a variety of two-mallet technical challenges that are often neglected for more popular 4-mallet practice. By analyzing the major works for two-mallet keyboard percussion, Gene identified twenty distinct technical challenges present in the repertoire and designed a collection of associated exercises. Each exercise utilizes an “Additive Method” (adding one note at a time) to help develop ability with scales that does not focus on playing them in their entirety.

In addition to the large collection of exercises, Gene’s method book also includes practice routines and charts, an annotated list of accompanied and unaccompanied two-mallet repertoire, and a grid that details which of the technical challenges are found in each two-mallet work. This is a great, new book and is ideal for not only mallet soloists but all percussionists alike. For more information, click HERE.

Featured Media: (CD) Glass Jungle by Andrew Beall

Glass Jungle is Andrew Beall’s second solo/composition release and it pays tribute to the ten years he has spent living in the “glass and concrete jungle” that is New York City. Title track Glass Jungle (for percussion soloist and percussion quartet) and Rancho Jubilee (for cajon trio; click the link for video!) are lively and vibrant. Solo marimba arrangements of Bach’s Air (on a G-String) and Pachebel’s Canon in D (performed by Andrew) are lyrical and tranquil. Andrew’s famed Song of Almah (marimba/cello version) and his arrangement of Card’s El Shaddai (for soprano and marimba) are rich and deeply passionate. Like Deliverance, Andrew’s first CD release, Glass Jungle features a variety of great solo and ensemble percussion writing and features outstanding performers, including Montgomery Hatch, Keith Aleo, Michael Singer, Jeremy Levine, Wilson Torres, and Javier Diaz. All of these compositions are available for purchase HERE at Bachovich Music Publications. To hear audio samples from all tracks on this great CD, click HERE.

Featured Composer: Stanley Leonard

Percussion legend Stanley Leonard was the Principal Timpanist of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra for 38 amazing years. Andre Previn called him “not only a virtuoso timpanist but a consummate musician” and, on his retirement, Lorin Maazel deemed him a “hard man to replace.” In addition to his outstanding performance career, Stanley taught at Carnegie Mellon University for twenty years, where he guided a great number of students to orchestral positions around the country.

Stanley is also well known for his great catalogue of percussion compositions that include technical etudes, solos for snare drum and timpani, and works for percussion ensemble. His works have been published by major publishing companies around the world. Bachovich carries two of his recent timpani solos, Madras and March and Scherzo, and will be carrying more of his publications and recordings soon.

Please join us in congratulating Bachovich Composer and Timpani Legend Stanley Leonard for his induction into the PAS Hall of Fame!! There will be a meet-and-greet at the Bachovich Booth #212 at PASIC from 1:30 to 2pm on Thursday, November 11. See you there!

Highlights (November)

~Come see us at PASIC: Booth #212.

Just like last year, Bachovich is offering GREAT SAVINGS off of your ENTIRE PURCHASE for the first people to show up at the booth. Show up and be the first person (save 50%!!!), the next three (save 20%!!), or the next five (save 10%!) at the booth for huge savings. Just mention this newsletter and promotional code "BMP." Get their fast and early Thursday morning to take advantage of this great opportunity.

~New Website: Check out Bachovich composer Tom Nazziola's slick new website: http://www.tomnazziola.com. Tons of great information about Tom and his various projects. Take a look.

~Bachovich Welcomes New Composers:

Glenn Paulson
Calabash for percussion trio
Rud-O-Meister for percussion trio
Guaguanco for percussion trio
Phonology for solo timpani

Daniel Adams
Diffusion Two for snare drum quartet
Concerto for euphonium and percussion quintet

Dave Gerhart
Quartet in F Major (mvt. 2) - Ravel, arr. for marimba quartet by Dave Gerhart
PanSon for steel band
Baila Alegre for steel band
Tribute for percussion duet

Diana Sussman
Said the Devoted to the Skeptical: A Dance of Discovery for solo marimba
Depart, Depart from Solid Earth for marimba, cello, soprano saxophone, and baritone saxophone


~Other New Works from Your Favorite Bachovich Composers:

Robert McClure
A Natural Regression for solo marimba and solo prepared vibraphone
Integrated Elements No. 3 for gyil and fixed media

Javier Diaz
Sakpatá for percussion ensemble and tape

Sean Statser
Enough Said for percussion duet and jazz ensemble

Andrew Beall
Seven To Queens for solo timpani


~We've Gone Global: Bachovich continues to expand, with sales in Ireland, Lithuania, Costa Rica, Japan, France, Belgium, Poland, England, Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, Spain, China, Taiwan, Luxembourg, Switzerland, and Hungary.