Piano Etudes - Philip Glass/arr. Joshua Quillen - Composer Philip Glass is considered by many to be one of the most prolific and influential composers of the late 20th century. While his compositional style is generally labeled as “minimalism,” he prefers to speak of himself as a composer of “music with repetitive structures.” Throughout his illustrious career lasting over 25 years, Glass has composed 20 operas, 8 symphonies, concerti for piano, violin, timpani, and saxophone quartet, several film scores, and a large body of solo piano repertoire.
In the mid-90’s, inspired by his widely popular solo piano performances, Glass began work on a set of piano etudes. Over ten years later, new music is still being added to the collection. Glass notes, “Their purpose was two-fold. First, to provide new music for my solo piano concerts and second, for me to expand my piano technique with music that would enhance and challenge my playing. Hence, the name Etudes, or ‘studies’. The result is a body of work that has a broad range of dynamic, tempo and emotion. I hope to complete a second set of ten etudes, of which the first six are already composed, in the next few years.” In the fall of 2007, So Percussion member and NYU Steel Drum Ensemble Director Josh Quillen began arranging the first volume of Etudes for steel drum ensemble. The Etudes dense textures lend themselves well to steel drum ensemble, and Quillen’s arrangements provide a unique and innovative approach to the performance of Philip Glass’ music.
http://www.panonthenet.com/news/2010/apr/NYU-4-17-10.htm
You need to be a member of When Steel Talks to add comments!
This is in response to Conrad Head's question regarding the absense of "people of color" in the band. I will present the facts as I know it and you can draw your own conclusion. I attended NYU in the late sixties into the seventies. I did not encounter too many blacks at that time.Today it seems even less.(I now live not too far from NYU) It is a very expensive school.I would guess it to be a lack of interest by students of color.I am not only black but I came from Trinidad a long time ago That is my take on your question.
Very well done. It's good to see that the students put so much passion into playing these instruments. They seem to truly appreciate the distinct beauty and sound of the pans and they take it quite seriously. Keep up the excellent work, students. There is no limit to your potential, if you decide to stick to it.
Where are the people of color? I mean arent there people of color at NYU? If so dont they know the cultural significance of pan and why arent they playing in this band?
Comments
A little more work on technique; i.e. more fluid wrist movements.