“Iberia”. Complete edition of the percussion parts. “Iberia”, by Claude Debussy, is the second piece in his orchestral triptych “Images pour Orchestre”, written between 1905 and 1908. A colorful piece on how he imagined Spain, a country he visited only for a couple of hours in 1880 when he was 18. The parts present mistakes… Continue reading “Iberia”. Complete edition of the percussion parts
Tag: castanets
“La Boda de Luis Alonso”: Percussion parts
“La boda de Luis Alonso”: percussion parts. On November 12th I was honored to present a masterclass at PASIC 2026 dealing with castanet technique. One of the examples I used to illustrate it was “La boda de Luis Alonso”, by Gerónimo Giménez. The following links will take you to the original parts, edited by myself. TIMPANI… Continue reading “La Boda de Luis Alonso”: Percussion parts
Castanets in the orchestra: The Ultimate Technique!!!
Castanets in the orchestra: The Ultimate Technique!! The October issue of Percussive Notes includes an article of mine titled “Castanets in The Orchestra: The Ultimate Technique!!” An appetizer for my masterclass on the same subject, which will take place on November 12th at room 125, 13:00 (EDT) at the Indianapolis Convention Center. …et in… Continue reading Castanets in the orchestra: The Ultimate Technique!!!
“Alborada del Gracioso”. Complete edition of the percussion parts
“Alborada del gracioso”. Complete edition of the percussion parts. “Alborada del gracioso”, by Maurice Ravel, started as the fourth number in his piano suite “Miroirs”. It was writen between 1904 and 1905 and, at the request of Diáguilev, it was orchestrated in 1918, becoming since then a staple in the symphonic repertoire. It is a… Continue reading “Alborada del Gracioso”. Complete edition of the percussion parts
“Rapsodie Espagnole”, by Ravel
“Rapsodie Espagnole”, by Ravel. “Rapsodie Espagnole“, by Ravel, is not only an important work in the symphonic repertoire; it also features wonderfully written percussion parts. Sadly, both the score and the particelle are plaged with numerous mistakes and missprints that the first edition has perpetuated in many performances and recordings. Because I played this work… Continue reading “Rapsodie Espagnole”, by Ravel
“Castagnettes de fer” in “Samson and Delilah”.
“Castagnettes de fer” in “Samson and Dehlila”. “Samson and Delilah”, by Camille Saint-Saëns, is an opera premiered in 1877 containing some interesting percussion parts. So, the glockenspiel in the 3º scene of the 3º act is a usual suspect in audition lists, the timpani part in the “Bacchanale” is a good one (and also an… Continue reading “Castagnettes de fer” in “Samson and Delilah”.
In memoriam Emma Maleras
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