Psathas-Drum Dances(S)

Commissioned by Dame Evelyn Glennie, Drum Dances has become a standard for drum kit and piano repertoire. This piece was written during the launch and rise of Chick Corea's Elektric Band, a band that also revealed the genius of Dave Weckl (along with John Patitucci, Eric Marienthal, and Frank Gambale) to the world. I was mesmerized by the interaction between drums and keyboard in the Elektric Band, and the influence of that music is evident in Drum Dances. Each of the four movements in this work is inspired by a certain kind of rhythmic interaction between the two musicians. The performers gradually transition from battling for superiority (Part 1) to working increasingly together (Parts 2 & 3) and ending with very tight unison rhythmic playing (Part 4).
-John Psathas

Number of players: 2
Difficulty: Advanced

Instrumentation

Player 1: Drum Set (with Glockenspiel)
Player 2: Piano (it is strongly recommended that the piano is amplified)