Jacob Druckman’s Reflection on the Nature of Water has become one of the standard 4-mallet marimba solos in the contemporary marimba literature. This master class, written by the person it was composed for, Dan Druckman, the composer’s son – Associate Principal Percussionist of the New York Philharmonic – provides a unique insight into the complexities of this monumental work.
This analysis of “Reflections” includes:
• Exploration of the sonic, timbral, and expressive possibilities of the marimba in a unique way
• A hands-on, specific, “nuts and bolts” approach to understanding and performing the piece
• Applications of mallet choices, strokes, articulation, and phrasing-to have as wide a sonic palette as possible
• Correction of mistakes in the score (mostly accidentals or rhythmic errors)
