Etude in eb minor

Item details

• Description +

  • Duration: 4 min.
    
    Etude in eb minor and Etude in E Major were composed together as a set.  Etude in E Major, though very dark and 'ugly, is at the same time intended to be a little funny.  As I have marked in the music, I think of it as a 'Devil's Circus Dance.'  I find it especially 'quirky' because the Etude in eb minor that precedes it in the set (though it was actually written after E Major) is an extremely tonal fugue of the same theme. I didn't put any markings in Etude in eb minor, because I think it should be self-explanatory.  Also, I think there are so many ways of interpreting it that I didn't want to limit the performer's imagination.

• Instrumentation +

  • Marimba (5-octave)

• About the composer +

  • The young Chinese-Canadian marimbist PIUS CHEUNG has already been recognized as a master soloist on his unusual instrument. His brilliantly played CD of Bach’s Goldberg Variations elicited a feature story in The New York Times which praised not only his technical feat of performing the intricacies of this keyboard work on the marimba, but also his “deeply expressive interpretation, notable for its clear voicing, eloquent phrasing and wide range of color and dynamics.” The album has been heard in the U. S. on National Public Radio and in Canada on CBC Radio. His second CD, Symphonic Poem, comprised entirely of his own compositions, was released at PASIC in November 2009.
    
    Since his U.S. concerto debut with the Philadelphia Orchestra in 2003, Mr. Cheung has toured extensively as a concerto and recital soloist around the world. Highlights of his recent performances include concerts at the Usedomer Music Festival in Germany, Hong Kong Arts Festival, 8th International Marimba Festival in Mexico, Percussive Arts Society International Convention 2009, Terrace Theater at Kennedy Center and Zankel Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall.
    
    In addition to concert performances, Mr. Cheung has presented masterclasses in some of the world's finest music institutions including the Conservatorium van Amsterdam, Conservatoire de Paris, Conservatoire National Supérieur de Lyon, Curtis Institute of Music, Boston Conservatory, Universities of Michigan, South Florida, Central Florida, Illinois and Boston.
    
    As a composer, Mr. Cheung was hailed by Washington Times as “... a composer in his own right – one who writes the kind of music people will want to hear.” He won 1st Prize at the Classical Marimba League’s 2007 Composition Competition for his Three Etudes. Among his numerous works for the marimba are a Marimba Concerto with String Orchestra and Timpani, Symphonic Poem, and collections of sonatas, ballades, musical moments and etudes. His compositions have been recorded by renowned marimbists and chosen as repertoire for numerous national and international competitions.
    
    Mr. Cheung moved to Vancouver with his family at the age of 12. He received his Bachelor of Music from the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, his Artist Diploma from The Boston Conservatory, and his Doctorate from the University of Michigan.

• Reviews +

  • Review (Percussive Notes, March (58) 2012)

     

    
    Another fine marimba composition in Pius Cheung’s series of etudes, “Etude in E-flat Minor” is well crafted, technically challenging (yet idiomatic), and musically satisfying for the performer and audience alike. He states in the program notes that his “Etude in E Major” and this etude were composed together as a set. This etude is an “extremely tonal fugue” based on the theme of his “Etude in E Major.”
    
    Cheung explains he did not include markings (stickings or musical), as there are so many ways to interpret the piece and he did not want to limit the pp performer’s imagination. This piece is challenging, but attainable by advanced undergraduate and graduate students.
    It is appropriate for recital or jury programming, as well as professional performances. The technical challenges are one aspect of consideration, but the musical interpretation choices require a mature player who understands how to communicate and perform contrapuntal material. The musical and compositional quality of this work is excellent.

    —Jeff Moore

• Credits +

  • Front Cover graphics and layout: Ronni Kot Wenzell
    Engraving: Pius Cheung/Johan Svitzer
    Printed in Copenhagen, Denmark
    Copyright © Edition Svitzer
    www.editionsvitzer.com

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