14th Internacional Percussion Festival in Mislata. Next Saturday, October 20th, I will be teaching a masterclass invited by the XIV Mislata International Percussion Festival (Valencia-Spain). It will take place at Liceu de Música de Mislata between 10:00 and 14:00. I will talk about the new Spanish edition of “Método de Movimiento para Marimba”, will deal… Continue reading 14th International Percussion Festival in Mislata
Tag: davidvaldes
DIY “Rute”
DIY “rute”. In ten days, rehearsals for Mahler #6 will start. I will be in charge of the bass drum and, as you may know, there is a European tradition which ties together this instrument and the rute. A rute is a bunch of twigs used to hit the bass drum shell, resulting in a… Continue reading DIY “Rute”
“Armonica a bicchieri” in Donizetti´s operas
“Armonica a bicchieri” in Donizetti´s operas. There is a video which has become quite popular among percussionists in the last few days. It features a rehearsal of “Lucia di Lammermoor” at the Metropolitan Opera; more precisely, the famous “mad scene” (“Il dulce suono…”, act III, scene 2). The curious thing about it is its historically… Continue reading “Armonica a bicchieri” in Donizetti´s operas
“Method of movement for Marimba” already in Spanish
“Method of Movement for Marimba” already in Spanish. Last April 9th was a very special day: after very hard work, effort and excitement, “Método de Movimiento para Marimba” (L. H. Stevens) was, at last, published. This is a long awaited project into which both Leigh and I have put our best. My job? Translating into… Continue reading “Method of movement for Marimba” already in Spanish
Restoration of a rope drum
Restoration of a rope drum. While working on my own 16″x16″ historical rope drum (“DIY historic rope tension drum I”, “DIY historic rope tension drum II” and future articles), I came across an already made 14″x12″ drum at a very good price, so I could not resist the temptation and got it. Said drum was… Continue reading Restoration of a rope drum
“Tavolette” in “Feste Romane”
“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
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
Happy birthday, Ms. Abe!
Happy birthday, Ms. Abe! Today is the 80th birthday of a person who has had a tremendous influence in the marimba world: Keiko Abe. © Yamaha. It is not the purpose of this article to detail her career, achievements or insist on the tremendous importance of her figure (all of that already well known), but… Continue reading Happy birthday, Ms. Abe!
“The Timpani and Percussion Instruments in 19th-century Italy”
“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