“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: edition
“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
“Nights in the Gardens of Spain” – Timpani
“Nights in the Gardens of Spain” – Timpani “Nights in the Gardens of Spain”, by Manuel de Falla, started as a series of solo piano nocturnes in 1909 but, encouraged by Ricardo Viñes, don Manuel converted them into a work for piano solo and orchestra. It was finished in 1915, the premiere taking place on… Continue reading “Nights in the Gardens of Spain” – Timpani
A mistake in the tambourine part in “Trepak”
A mistake in the tambourine part in “Trepak” We are deep into “The Nutcracker” (P. I. Tchaikovsky) season. This ballet is a tremendously popular work that is played very often during Christmas. The percussion parts are great and the “Trepak” features a very funny part, which is also technical challenge, and that is why it… Continue reading A mistake in the tambourine part in “Trepak”
Timpani in Mendelssohn´s “Italian” symphony
Timpani in Mendelssohn´s “Italian” symphony Felix Mendelssohn wrote his Symphony No. 4 in A major, op. 90 (“Italian”) between 1832 and 1833 after a “Grand Tour” that took him to Italy between 1830 and 1831. It is the fourth symphony in his catalogue, but the third one in chronological order of composition. Again, the… Continue reading Timpani in Mendelssohn´s “Italian” symphony
Timpani in Mendelssohn´s “Scottish” symphony
Timpani in Mendelssohn´s “Scottish” symphony Felix Mendelssohn started composing his Symphony No. 3 in A minor, op. 56 (“Scottish”) in 1829 after a trip to Scotland (which also inspired him to write the overture “The Hebrides”), but the symphony was abandoned for more than a decade and it was completed between 1841 and 1842. It… Continue reading Timpani in Mendelssohn´s “Scottish” symphony
The bass drum in “Symphonie Fantastique” (H. Berlioz)
The bass drum in “Symphonie Fantastique” (H. Berlioz) Berlioz´s “Symphonie Fantastique” is always a treat. I have played it on many occasions and on different instruments. Playing it again on the week of June 2-6, together with the Orquesta Sinfónica del Principado de Asturias, has been a real pleasure. This time I was on… Continue reading The bass drum in “Symphonie Fantastique” (H. Berlioz)
“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
“Scheherezade”, roll or articulate?
“Scheherezade”, roll or articulate? Despite being one of the milestones in the symphonic repertoire, “Scheherezade” features, believe or not, many mistakes and misprints. Belaieff (I have already mentioned him in previous articles) published the score and parts in 1899 in Leipzig. Since then, we have played using the exact same edition: 135 years perpetuating the… Continue reading “Scheherezade”, roll or articulate?
Timpani in “Messiah”.
Timpani in “Messiah”. We are getting very close to “Messiah season” so, why not having a look at this perennial classic? This year I will be playing timpani for the Christmas concert while my colleagues are in the pit playing “Aida”. I have started preparing for the rehearsals and I have found some interesting… Continue reading Timpani in “Messiah”.