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Summer Gardens (Download)
In Summer Gardens, Isaac Pyatt creates a warm, pleasant study piece for intermediate marimba performers. Subtitled, “Etude No. 1 for Solo Marimba” the piece makes equal utilization of the four primary stroke types used in 4-mallet playing. While quasi-pedagogical in approach, the result is an accessible piece of music that would fit well in recitals, church settings, private lessons, or anywhere the warm sounds of the marimba are welcome.
“Summer Gardens” is a fantastic short work for the advanced high school student or undergraduate looking to develop more dexterity with four-mallet technique. Similar in concept to Eric Sammut’s “Four Rotations, ” Isaac Pyatt’s solo emphasizes techniques such as lateral and independent strokes while providing an overarching musical landscape for the soloist and audience to enjoy. Running just under three minutes, “Summer Gardens” is a great piece for a jury or studio class.
The technical demands of the piece require the performer to execute triple lateral strokes in the left hand at a fairly slow and comfortable speed, with frequent interval shifts in the right hand, culminating with the use of octaves in the climax of the solo. Pyatt’s use of repetitive rhythmic material allows for performers to focus on the technical demands while also shifting melodic and harmonic material underneath. One of Pyatt’s compositional strengths is his ability to manipulate this repetitive thematic material in creative ways to develop long melodic lines and connect various elements in the short piece.
Although described by the composer as a potential teaching tool, “Summer Gardens” is much more than a pedagogical work. The solo creates a beautiful image of relaxation and reflection, allowing the performer to focus on musicality as well as technicality.
—Matthew Geiger
Percussive Notes
Vol. 55, No. 2, May 2017
In Summer Gardens, Isaac Pyatt creates a warm, pleasant study piece for intermediate marimba performers. Subtitled, “Etude No. 1 for Solo Marimba” the piece makes equal utilization of the four primary stroke types used in 4-mallet playing. While quasi-pedagogical in approach, the result is an accessible piece of music that would fit well in recitals, church settings, private lessons, or anywhere the warm sounds of the marimba are welcome.
“Summer Gardens” is a fantastic short work for the advanced high school student or undergraduate looking to develop more dexterity with four-mallet technique. Similar in concept to Eric Sammut’s “Four Rotations, ” Isaac Pyatt’s solo emphasizes techniques such as lateral and independent strokes while providing an overarching musical landscape for the soloist and audience to enjoy. Running just under three minutes, “Summer Gardens” is a great piece for a jury or studio class.
The technical demands of the piece require the performer to execute triple lateral strokes in the left hand at a fairly slow and comfortable speed, with frequent interval shifts in the right hand, culminating with the use of octaves in the climax of the solo. Pyatt’s use of repetitive rhythmic material allows for performers to focus on the technical demands while also shifting melodic and harmonic material underneath. One of Pyatt’s compositional strengths is his ability to manipulate this repetitive thematic material in creative ways to develop long melodic lines and connect various elements in the short piece.
Although described by the composer as a potential teaching tool, “Summer Gardens” is much more than a pedagogical work. The solo creates a beautiful image of relaxation and reflection, allowing the performer to focus on musicality as well as technicality.
—Matthew Geiger
Percussive Notes
Vol. 55, No. 2, May 2017
