Percussion Axiom TV: Episode #36 "Don't be quick to judge..."

[pedrocarneiro]

Great show Tom, thank - talking of Viñao, do you know the Marimba Concerto (1993). You would love it. All best, p

[tburritt1971]

pedro! nice to hear from you. Don't know it... but i need to. Will check it out.. thanks!

[AoAPC]

This is a great message and I'm glad it's an issue you chose to write about. We're at a crossroads in percussion music in that our notation has often left so much up to the performer (how many times have we seen a cymbal crash that's obviously meant to be left to ring notated as a quarter note?), however, composers are starting to be better about being more specific on their desires for a work, such as the example you've shared. While this notation in the short run makes it difficult to read,

[AoAPC]

in the long run it answers so many ambiguities about what the composer intended.

I think Alejandro Vinao did something great in Khan Variations; once the variations got more involved and he started adding more voices, he simplified the notation to make it far easier to read, but he also provides in the back of the score his original notation so that his intentions are clear (we can see more clearly how he put the piece together).

[AoAPC]

The last time I made this misjudged was playing Wuorinen's Percussion Quartet this semester. There were 8 or 9 pitched toms in the setup, and instead of notating them on a percussion staff, they were notated using their actual pitches... in alto clef. Given the large number of toms and the complexity of many of the rhythms and lines, it made it very difficult to learn. However, it was rewarding in the end.

[tburritt1971]

Couldn't agree more on all points. Wourinen is a great example. Thanks for being transparent. I've played Esutdios by Viano and he does a similar thing.. great call. When fully realized.. very rewarding! Thanks again!