Psathas's One Study One Summary (2005) is a cutting-edge work for marimba, with junk percussion & digital audio, that is a favourite among virtuosic solo percussionists. As the title suggests, it is cast in two movements, and while the work exhibits the ‘busy' motoric textures for which Psathas is well-known, reflective, atmospheric textures predominate throughout. The electronic sounds and beats in the digital audio part provide an evocative palette for the live percussionist to interact with.
John Baldwin, Percussive Notes, August, September 2009.
This two-movement work for solo percussionist is written for marimba, junk percussion and digital audio. The junk percussion includes such things as frying pans, metallic objects, salad bowls, a variety of cymbals and gongs, etc. The work requires a 5.0-octave instrument. One Study is very toccata-like with changing meters and quick dynamic contrasts, and requires a firm mastery of contemporary four-mallet techniques. One Summary is slower, more contemplative in nature, and exploits the more sonorous side of the marimba by using ‘super soft' and ‘soft' mallets at mp and p dynamic levels.
The junk percussion part in One Study is very interesting. It is carefully notated on what some refer to as a ‘timber staff' or ‘adapted keyboard notation'. It may be played live by several other percussionists using the specified instruments or ‘an alternative battery of instruments.' To this end, the audio CD includes short sound samples of each instrument to aid in finding appropriate alternatives. The third performance option is to use the digital audio that incorporates the recorded junk percussion sounds. In addition to the various audio tracks (with and without junk percussion), the CD also contains a reference mix of One Study One Summary, with both digital audio parts and a synthesizes version of the performer's part. This would definitely be an exciting addition to any program regardless of the format chosen.
Difficulty Rating Scale V - Advanced
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.
