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Gershwin Preludes, The (Gershwin)

arranged for keyboard percussion duo by Daniel Lesieur
Level: Med-Advanced
Duration: 6:45
Personnel: 2 players
State Lists: Florida
Release Date: 2022
Product ID : TSPCD22-001
Price: $29.00
Item #: TSPCD22-001

Formats Available:


Description

In the mid-1920s, legendary American composer George Gershwin wrote a collection of musical preludes. Characteristic of the "Roaring Twenties," these beloved works draw from a diverse set of influences, including Jazz, Latin, and Eastern European Jewish folk music. Now, Daniel Lesieur has faithfully adapted them for keyboard percussion duo in a three-movement work: The Gershwin Preludes.

All three movements maintain the integrity and energy of the original piano solos, with all musical lines carefully orchestrated for modern percussion instruments. The first and third movements are arranged for marimba duet; the second, for marimba and vibraphone. Any of these Preludes may be performed as a set or individually. Lesieur's arrangement allows performers to display a mastery of musical expression and responsibility - perfect for recitals, contests, or pure entertainment!

The Gershwin Preludes ships as a printed, professionally bound score, and includes individual parts in PDF format for printing or tablet viewing.

Instrumentation

  • Vibraphone
  • 2 marimbas—(1) low A, (1) 5-octave

Reviews

Daniel Lesieur has done a wonderful job of arranging three piano preludes by George Gershwin for keyboard duo. The pieces were originally composed in 1926–27 and meant to be part of a collection of 24 preludes inspired by Chopin’s 24 preludes.

“Prelude I” has been raised from the original key of B-flat major to C major to better utilize the range of a 5-octave marimba. Stylistically, there is a combination of blues and jazz, as well as Middle-Eastern and Brazilian rhythms. The Marimba 2 part (the left hand in the original piano piece) is almost exclusively chordal and accompanimental in nature. The Marimba 1 part features some quick, thirty-second-note licks that add some flash to the performance if executed precisely.

“Prelude II,” nicknamed “Blue Lullaby,” is the longest in duration and the slowest in tempo. It is heavily influenced by jazz and the blues. Lesieur chose to arrange this prelude for vibraphone and marimba, which was a great choice. The bright timbre and resonance of the vibraphone fit the mood and style of this prelude perfectly.

“Prelude III,” subtitled “Spanish Prelude,” has elements of tango and cha-cha. Similar to “Prelude I,” the Marimba 2 part is mainly accompanimental, while the Marimba 1 part includes many rapid melodic figures.

Lesieur states that these three preludes can be performed as a set or individually. They work wonderfully as a set, and with a total length of around seven minutes, it is not a huge undertaking to perform all three. I recommend this piece for a university student recital, percussion ensemble concert, or professional concert. Gershwin’s music is accessible to audiences and will garner a favorable reaction when presented as in this arrangement.

—Justin Bunting
Percussive Notes
Vol. 60, No. 3, June 2022

Description

In the mid-1920s, legendary American composer George Gershwin wrote a collection of musical preludes. Characteristic of the "Roaring Twenties," these beloved works draw from a diverse set of influences, including Jazz, Latin, and Eastern European Jewish folk music. Now, Daniel Lesieur has faithfully adapted them for keyboard percussion duo in a three-movement work: The Gershwin Preludes.

All three movements maintain the integrity and energy of the original piano solos, with all musical lines carefully orchestrated for modern percussion instruments. The first and third movements are arranged for marimba duet; the second, for marimba and vibraphone. Any of these Preludes may be performed as a set or individually. Lesieur's arrangement allows performers to display a mastery of musical expression and responsibility - perfect for recitals, contests, or pure entertainment!

The Gershwin Preludes ships as a printed, professionally bound score, and includes individual parts in PDF format for printing or tablet viewing.

Instrumentation

  • Vibraphone
  • 2 marimbas—(1) low A, (1) 5-octave

Reviews

Daniel Lesieur has done a wonderful job of arranging three piano preludes by George Gershwin for keyboard duo. The pieces were originally composed in 1926–27 and meant to be part of a collection of 24 preludes inspired by Chopin’s 24 preludes.

“Prelude I” has been raised from the original key of B-flat major to C major to better utilize the range of a 5-octave marimba. Stylistically, there is a combination of blues and jazz, as well as Middle-Eastern and Brazilian rhythms. The Marimba 2 part (the left hand in the original piano piece) is almost exclusively chordal and accompanimental in nature. The Marimba 1 part features some quick, thirty-second-note licks that add some flash to the performance if executed precisely.

“Prelude II,” nicknamed “Blue Lullaby,” is the longest in duration and the slowest in tempo. It is heavily influenced by jazz and the blues. Lesieur chose to arrange this prelude for vibraphone and marimba, which was a great choice. The bright timbre and resonance of the vibraphone fit the mood and style of this prelude perfectly.

“Prelude III,” subtitled “Spanish Prelude,” has elements of tango and cha-cha. Similar to “Prelude I,” the Marimba 2 part is mainly accompanimental, while the Marimba 1 part includes many rapid melodic figures.

Lesieur states that these three preludes can be performed as a set or individually. They work wonderfully as a set, and with a total length of around seven minutes, it is not a huge undertaking to perform all three. I recommend this piece for a university student recital, percussion ensemble concert, or professional concert. Gershwin’s music is accessible to audiences and will garner a favorable reaction when presented as in this arrangement.

—Justin Bunting
Percussive Notes
Vol. 60, No. 3, June 2022


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