Ce CD rassemble des pièces de compositeurs contemporains, tels Keiko Abe, Guillo Espel, Oleksa Lozowchuk, Emmanuel Séjourné et Julie Spencer. Le disque comprend aussi Letter from Home, du guitariste Pat Metheny, ainsi que Cinco Piezas, de l’Argentin Astor Piazzolla, dans des transcriptions réalisées par Anne-Julie Caron. Jouées sur un marimba à cinq octaves, ces musiques pleines de finesse exigent de l’instrumentiste une musicalité exceptionnelle et une technique de haute voltige : un défi brillamment relevé par Anne-Julie Caron.

Les origines du marimba remontent aux instruments primitifs développés en Asie, en Afrique et en Amérique précolombienne. Appelé aussi xylophone africain, il aurait été apporté en Amérique latine par les esclaves du continent noir au XVIe siècle. Le marimba s’est intégré à la culture latino au point de devenir l’instrument emblématique du Mexique et du Guatemala.

Grand Cassa - Houllif, Blue Samba; Zivkovic, Skripska igra; Gadd, Samba Song; Monica, Sambaco; Schmitt, Bakoua; u.a. + 2 bonus Play-along-tracks; G.Malcher, M.Hartmann, T.Holste, J.Mehmke, M.H.Raute, perc.

Both pieces in this record are rich and emotionally imbued. The Concerto for Percussion and Orchestra consists of three movements all with their own array of solo instruments. The percussionist changing positions in every one until, at the end, he returns to his initial one. The first movement as well as the end of the piece are marked by eruptive blocks of sound, the drums dominating. The orchestral textures are organized in three layers of sophisticated rhythmical patterns which together with a solo like horn and tuba provide continuous motion throughout the whole movement. The second movement is more lyrical, dominated by resonating instruments. Cerha himself on this movement: “I was originally stimulated by observing the slow movements of heavenly bodies and ways of catching up and overtaking which play a part in many areas of life.”

The third movement gets back to first one and has a scherzo-like character. The high, clear sounds of the xylophone, wood blocks and log drums are dominating the motion in a frenzied tempo.

Impulse (means ‘Impulses’) is a multifaceted orchestral work with strong musical contrasts. Constructs of fierce, passionate Nature alternate with expressions of quietude, pensively elegiac, at times harshly and suddenly juxtaposed, along with gestures (most of them emphasised by dynamics) initiating a process leading continuously toward new, altered situations. The piece was commissioned by the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra.

Tracklist

1. Konzert für Schlagzeug und Orchester (2007/2008)
2. Impulse für Orchester (1992/93)

Raw Elegance - 50 Min.; Xenakis: Rebonds for Percussion solo; Billone: Mani. Matta for Marimba, 2 Log Drums, Woodblock & China Gong; Odin: Maskine for 14 Pieces of Metal. Ying-Hsueh Chen (Percussion)

“Symphonic Poem” is the latest CD album recorded by Pius Cheung in 2009 under his own indie label. Recorded in this new CD are solo marimba titles including the theme – Symphonic Poem (a large scale solo marimba work), four Etudes and a short Musical Moment; all composed and performed by Pius Cheung. “Symphonic Poem” is due to be released at the Percussive Arts Society International Convention 2009.

62 Min.; Pius Cheung (Marimba) spielt Eigenkompositionen: Symphonic Poem; Etude in d minor, cis minor, D major, e minor; Musical Moment No. 5

Aaron Copland
Piano Sonata (1939-41) {C}{C}

Paul Creston
Sonata for Alto Saxophone and Piano, Op.19 (1939) {C}{C}

George Crumb
Five Pieces of Piano {C}{C}{C}{C}

Elliott Carter
Pieces for Timpany {C}{C}{C}{C}

John Cage

Pekka Savijoki, alto saxophone
Gert Mortensen, percussion
Eva Knardahl, piano
Jussi Siirala, piano
Ingrid Lindgren, piano
Kroumata Percussion Ensemble, ensemble