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This score is a Student Workbook and accompanies the Teaching Resource Drum Dances / Abhisheka by Jeni Little and is not covered under the AMCOS school licencing scheme and cannot be photocopied.
Commissioned by renowned percussionist Dame Evelyn Glennie, Psathas' Drum Dances (1993) is a standard for drum kit and piano repertoire. Each of the four movements in this work was stimulated by a certain rhythmic interaction possible between two performers. The performers gradually transition from battling for superiority to working together throughout the work as they navigate material ranging from a loosely-written stately dance to very tight and syncopated rhythmic interaction.
John Psathas is a New Zealand freelance composer and teacher who, at a relatively early stage in his career, has established an international profile and receives regular commissions from organisations both in New Zealand and overseas. His works are championed around the world by a growing number of leading international artists, one of the most consistent of whom has been the Scottish percussionist Evelyn Glennie. Initially making a name for himself as a composer of high-energy percussion music, more recently the composer has concentrated on a series of larger-scale concertante works. A major career highlight to date has been the commission to compose the ceremonial music for the opening and closing of the 2004 Athens Olympic Games. In 2005 John Psathas was created an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for his services to music.
