Etude in C# Minor (Scriabin) (Download)

(Op. 2, No. 1) arranged for mallet duet by Brian Slawson

Brian Slawson

Level: Med-Advanced

Duration: 3:00

Personnel: 2

State Lists: Florida

Release Date: 2012

Product ID : TSPCD-13DL

Price: $22.00

Item #: TSPCD-13DL

Formats Available:

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All percussion sounds used in this recording were generated from Virtual Drumline software also by Tapspace.

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Description

With the exception of one piano concerto and a small number of orchestral pieces, Russian composer Alexander Scriabin wrote exclusively for solo piano. Scriabin was just 15 years old when he composed this etude in 1887. In Etude in C# Minor arrangement by Brian Slawson, the main focus becomes how two players must become one through impeccable communication while fluctuating tempos and phrasing. Not for the faint of heart, this lyrical piece raises the bar for percussionists looking to break free from the confines of musical rigidity.

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Instrumentation

Vibraphone
Marimba—low C

Reviews

Keyboard percussion duos are often looking for a big finale piece, but what precedes the finale on the program is just as essential. This piece is one of those pre-finale pieces and offers the kind of variety sought after on duo programs. A beautiful piano solo originally, Scriabin’s “Etude in C-sharp minor” has been arranged for marimba and vibraphone by Brian Slawson. He follows the original score exactly, making it almost a direct transcription.

The difficulty in performance is the ploddy nature of the constant eighth notes. With a very slow tempo of 52 bpm, it will be essential for the players to communicate and breathe with the time. A metronome will not be helpful with this piece, but a few listens to the piano solo will. The four-mallet techniques required for performance are fairly basic: double vertical strokes at comfortable intervals and a few single independent strokes at slow tempos. The musicianship and phrasing challenges are far more critical than any technical requirements.

Albeit fairly short at three minutes, this arrangement will work great for duos looking to show off their musicianship. I also recommend this piece for “drummers” who really need to dive into some complex music. With minimal technical issues, this piece could open up the musical eyes and ears of some of your students.

–Julia Gaines
Percussive Notes
Vol. 51, No. 3, May 2013