Psathas-Buyan-5-6T/Digital Audio

John Psathas' Buyan is a rewarding workout, testing the timpanist's proficiency in various techniques. Across its six minutes, the player must navigate syncopated grooves in compound time, simmering roll and glissandi techniques, and play with their fingers. Buyan moves briskly, its timpani line often skipping across the surface of the accompanying backing tracks dark and cinematic electronica. Indeed, the backing track evokes the mystery, intrigue, and exoticism of the fabled island that names the work, rising and falling in intensity like the tides that are are so integral to the island's magic. The variety of playing techniques in Buyan demonstrate the subtleties offered—yet often overlooked—by the timpani.

• Number of players: 1
• Difficulty: Advanced
• Instrumentation: 5-6 timpani (lowest timpano may be replaced with bass drum)
• The backing tracks are available as an additional purchase through a link to the publishers website