Master Class Series

Roland Kohloff's incredible analysis of the timpani part to Beethoven's Symphony No. 5 includes valuable information for interpreting all nine of Beethoven's Symphonies. With a sixteen-year career as Principal Timpanist of the San Francisco Symphony and thirty-two years with the New York Philharmonic as the Principal Timpanist, Kohloff has performed under the baton of most of the major conductors of the world, bringing a wealth of knowledge to this Master Class. Anthony J. Cirone, the editor of this book, also contributes an insightful Foreword.

This Master Class presents a comprehensive, interpretive analysis and performance guide of three legendary compositions for timpani and percussion. Morris Lang, Charles Dowd, and Anthony J. Cirone have put a lifetime of performance and study experience into this extensive volume that features Eight Pieces for Four Timpani by Elliott Carter, Concertino for Percussion and Small Orchestra by Darius Milhaud, and l'Histoire du Soldat by Igor Stravinsky. This publication includes:

• Corrections of wrong notes, rhythms, phrasings, and dynamics
• Far-reaching suggestions on interpretation
• Revised notation since the original music was too difficult to read
• Suggested muffling to enhance interpretation
• Additional articulations where appropriate
• Suggested sticking to increase musical phrasing
• Historical references
• Multiple-Percussion set up
• Translation of foreign musical terms

This Master Class presents a comprehensive, interpretive analysis and performance guide for three major works for solo marimba by San Francisco Symphony Principal Percussionist, Jack Van Geem. His well-thought-out approach to learning Velocities by Joseph Schwantner helps solve many of the difficult 4-mallet technical issues in this notable composition for solo marimba. The extensive theoretical analysis of Three Small Adventures by Gunther Schuller aids in a greater musical approach to this and other contemporary works for marimba. Van Geem also provides his personal edition, including dynamics, phrasing, and articulations for J. S. Bach's Fugue from Sonata No. 1 in G Minor. Engraved and edited by Anthony J. Cirone.

This in-depth, one-of-a-kind publication includes:

• Sticking Options: From low-tech single mallet or hand-to-hand alternation to high-tech convoluted permutations of 4-mallet options
• Beating Spots: For creating the proper sound and avoiding sticking issues
• Hand & Arm Postures: Developing a more efficient and accurate approach to the marimba
• Memorization: Constructing an accurate and effective physical memory
• Practicing: Structuring thoughtful practice time
• Learning the Art of Triaging: Determing priorities when learning a new work
• Complete Edited Version: Van Geem's personal edition of Fugue from Sonata No. 1 in G Minor by Johann Sebastian Bach

Jacob Druckman's Reflections on the Nature of Water has become one of the standard 4-mallet marimba solos in percussion literature. This piece is a consortium commission organized by Bill Moersch and included Leigh Stevens and Gordon Stout. Jacob Druckman's son, Daniel Druckman, Associate Principal Percussionist of the New York Philharmonic provides this Master Class. Jacob Druckman makes the following statement:

"Reflections on the Nature of Water is a small payment towards a very large debt. There were primarily two composers, Debussy and Stravinsky, whose music affected me so profoundly during my tender, formative years, that I had no choice but to become a composer. It is to Debussy that I doff my hat with these reflections on his magical Preludes."

-Jacob Druckman