My Listening Log

Throughout my courses with OCA, I will keep an ongoing log of anything and everything that I hear that may be of interest.  I don't plan to write huge amount on each piece, but maybe just a few ideas and thoughts about new things I come across. 

Listening Log

Evelyn Glennie performs PRIM by Askell Masson on snare drum

Evelyn Glennie’s use of the snare drum is this piece really displays the instrument’s character.  It begins with the familiar military tones but using a range of techniques, she uses the instrument to build character and tension, almost creating rhythm using the silence between beats.   Throughout her process, she moves seamlessly into more tribal beats, heavily relying on dynamics and stick techniques to create this piece. 

Italian Folk Song - O Sole Mio

Eduardo Di Capua’s O Sole Mio (1898) demonstrates the use of the tambourine using short notes to hold the rhythm of the piece.  Although the tambourine plays a quiet role within the piece, it is essential for holding together the timing for the instruments around it. 

‪John Cage‪ - Third Construction (in Metal)

This piece shows a huge amount of technical skill and a wide range of percussion instruments.  To me, the pieces seems to move through a variety of styles and at various points, you can feel influencing from various cultures.

I find the use of the tambourine to be extremely interesting in this piece.  The versatility of the instrument gives it a unique ability to blend in a number of different settings and this piece seems to really take advantage of this character trait.  I also found the use of claves to be very interesting.  My previous experience of claves has been very limited, but the instrument’s character really came through in places. 

The metallic feel to the whole piece also gives an industrial feel with military influences blending throughout the piece, especially with the introduction of the horn. 

‪Steve Reich - Drumming

I found this piece of the most fascinating pieces of percussion I have heard.  This piece is defined into very clear parts, yet the same basic structure seems to apply.   Throughout the main body of the piece, it seems that the drumming patterns stay the same, and the instrument changes to suit the mood of the piece. 

The beginning of this piece has a very military feel to it.  It incorporates the slow introduction of a number of drums adding intricacy to the beat as the piece moves on.  The piece then moves through a variety of feelings, each time incorporating different instruments.  The dynamics of this piece do not seem to vary as much as in some of the other examples I have heard.