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Brian Blume’s compositions have a way of connecting to listeners in a visceral way, while also providing effective educational opportunities in teaching environments. Persistence definitely fits that bill. Equal parts groovy and contemporary, it uses a persistent 16th-note rhythm on a metal pipe throughout much of the piece.
Five players navigate through an array of changing accent patterns and meters, the metallic pipe rhythm persists while players share marimbas (up to four players on two 4.3-octave instruments) and produce a variety of metallic effects of resonant, semi-resonant, and trashy timbres.
Geared toward advanced high school or undergraduate college ensembles, Persistence will be an energetic and crowd-pleasing addition to the repertoire!
Use of this product is governed by the license terms outlined here.
“Persistence” is a five-minute groove piece, opening and closing with identical motivic material that alternates between 7/8 and 3/4 and is played on a metal pipe, crotales, and two marimbas. Between these bookends, Blume seamlessly morphs the musical material through various textures and time signatures (primarily 3/4 and 6/16). The title refers to the almost continual presence of driving sixteenth notes played on the metal pipe with varied accents that either outline or accentuate the changing meters.
It is certainly an understatement to say that there are at least a few percussion ensemble pieces comparable to this one—pieces with often-changing meters, persistent ostinato figures, and drumset-like grooves. The incorporation of the two marimbas with “Steve Reich-ian” motives, however, distinguishes “Persistence” from others that may, at first glance, seem similar. In addition, the piece is not too diffcult (with changing meters and a few polyrhythms being the most challenging aspects), and is appropriately written for a set of instruments that most small high school or college ensembles would likely own. Individual parts and MP3 recording are included on a CD-ROM that accompanies the score.
—Julie Licata
Percussive Note
Vol. 55, No. 2, May 2017
Brian Blume’s compositions have a way of connecting to listeners in a visceral way, while also providing effective educational opportunities in teaching environments. Persistence definitely fits that bill. Equal parts groovy and contemporary, it uses a persistent 16th-note rhythm on a metal pipe throughout much of the piece.
Five players navigate through an array of changing accent patterns and meters, the metallic pipe rhythm persists while players share marimbas (up to four players on two 4.3-octave instruments) and produce a variety of metallic effects of resonant, semi-resonant, and trashy timbres.
Geared toward advanced high school or undergraduate college ensembles, Persistence will be an energetic and crowd-pleasing addition to the repertoire!
Use of this product is governed by the license terms outlined here.
“Persistence” is a five-minute groove piece, opening and closing with identical motivic material that alternates between 7/8 and 3/4 and is played on a metal pipe, crotales, and two marimbas. Between these bookends, Blume seamlessly morphs the musical material through various textures and time signatures (primarily 3/4 and 6/16). The title refers to the almost continual presence of driving sixteenth notes played on the metal pipe with varied accents that either outline or accentuate the changing meters.
It is certainly an understatement to say that there are at least a few percussion ensemble pieces comparable to this one—pieces with often-changing meters, persistent ostinato figures, and drumset-like grooves. The incorporation of the two marimbas with “Steve Reich-ian” motives, however, distinguishes “Persistence” from others that may, at first glance, seem similar. In addition, the piece is not too diffcult (with changing meters and a few polyrhythms being the most challenging aspects), and is appropriately written for a set of instruments that most small high school or college ensembles would likely own. Individual parts and MP3 recording are included on a CD-ROM that accompanies the score.
—Julie Licata
Percussive Note
Vol. 55, No. 2, May 2017
