David Valdés

“Tavolette” in “Feste Romane”

Matraca. Fuente desconocida.

“Tavolette” in “Feste Romane”. At the end of the last season I was lucky enough to play “Feste Romane” (“Roman Festivals”) which, together with “Fountains” and “Pines”, form Ottorino Respighi´s “Roman Triptych”. It is a work featuring an exuberant, imaginative and brilliant orchestration. It requires a “percusive force” of one timpanist plus nine percussionists and, in… Continue reading “Tavolette” in “Feste Romane”

In memoriam Emma Maleras

Emma Maleras en el Teatro Romea (1975). Fuente desconocida.

In memoriam Emma Maleras. Today, aged 97, Emma Maleras has passed away. She may be unfamiliar for many people but, for those of us who care about castanets, she is a milestone. Emma Maleras at Teatro Romea (1975). Author unknown. Emma Maleras created a method that approached castanets like any other instrument: with respect and… Continue reading In memoriam Emma Maleras

“The Timpani and Percussion Instruments in 19th-century Italy”

© bandaturca.com

“The Timpani and Percussion Instruments in 19th-century Italy” Because I have been a very good boy during this last year, the Three Wise Men brought me as a present the book “The timpani and percussion instruments in 19th-century Italy”, written by Renato Meucci, translated into English by Michael Quinn and edited by Banda Turca. ©… Continue reading “The Timpani and Percussion Instruments in 19th-century Italy”

The tenor drum, that great unknown

The tenor drum, that great unknown. The tenor drum is an instrument not very well known; even seasoned percussionists mistake it for the military drum, another member of the percusive family. This article will define its characteristics and make clear what instrument it is. At first I thought that this article would make not much sense… Continue reading The tenor drum, that great unknown

The Provençal drum

Tambor de Provenza fabricado por Alexandre Sauver Guerin (Marsella, s. XIX). © Philharmonie de Paris. Musée de la Musique

The Provençal drum. Today´s article deals with a traditional instrument that has made its way into the symphony orchestra. Common to different drumming traditions from several countries and around five centuries old, its name in French is very similar to the way that other completely different instruments are named in other nations, which has caused… Continue reading The Provençal drum

In memoriam David Searcy

In memoriam David Searcy. Sadly, I am writing again mourning a loss. David Searcy has passed away on August, 2nd. David was timpanist for the orchestra of Teatro alla Scala in Milan (before that, he played for the Bergen Philharmonic), a magnificent musician, and an excellent person. He was also a faculty member at the Royal… Continue reading In memoriam David Searcy

Welcome!

© David Valdés

Welcome! Hi everybody.   Today I´m starting a new adventure in the blogosphere.   Percusize Me! is my blog, and its title is a play on words related to Morgan Spurlock´s film “Super Size Me”. Its meaning could be something as “percussionize me” (I know that expression doesn´t exist!). Also, and following the storyline in… Continue reading Welcome!