Music Literature

Grade 12

Mr. Ryan Dulin

Percussion LiteraturePercussion Literature

• We are going to look at the 1st and 4th movements of Sindur composed by Askell Masson

• This is part of percussion literature that represents what it has become

• We will also look at a piece in comparison from percussion literature from an earlier composer

• Before we look at the piece we will discuss the composer

The Composer

• Askell Masson was born in Iceland in 1953

• Masson is originally a clairinetest

• He has been playing since the young age of 8

The Composer cont.The Composer cont.

He made it his main focus in 1961 before He made it his main focus in 1961 before studying percussion at the Reykjavic studying percussion at the Reykjavic College of Music and privately with James College of Music and privately with James Blades in LondonBlades in London

Some of his performing experiences Some of his performing experiences include performances with Evelyn Glennie, include performances with Evelyn Glennie, Roger Woodward, Gert Mortensen, Roger Woodward, Gert Mortensen, Christian Lindberg, and Benny SluchinChristian Lindberg, and Benny Sluchin

The Composer Cont.The Composer Cont.

• From 1973 to 1975 Masson took on the role of percussionist and composer for the ballet corps of the National Theater of Iceland

• Following this role he became a radio producer for the Icelandic Radio music department in 1978 where he served for five years

• In 1983 he decided sustain a life where he can devote his time towards composing

Other works by MassonOther works by Masson

His Website address is His Website address is www.askellmasson.comwww.askellmasson.com

Some of his other works include:Some of his other works include:– ImpromtuImpromtu for Marimba for Marimba– KimKim a snare drum solo a snare drum solo– Rhythm StripRhythm Strip a snare drum duo a snare drum duo– TocattaTocatta for chromatic tom-toms for chromatic tom-toms

Sindur

• This piece was composed in 1989 by Masson• Sindur in its entirety has four movements• The title literally means sparks• Each player is given a solo, for example player

four is featured in the first movement with a marimba cadenza

Sindur cont.Sindur cont.

• Movement four calls for a multiple set up for each Movement four calls for a multiple set up for each playerplayer

• A multiple set up is just that, it can have many A multiple set up is just that, it can have many different drums, cymbals, gongs, tam-tams, or just different drums, cymbals, gongs, tam-tams, or just about anything else that a composer may want to about anything else that a composer may want to include in the pieceinclude in the piece

• In this movement player one has a cadenzaIn this movement player one has a cadenza

Sindur cont.Sindur cont.

• Player one uses an assortment of instruments ranging from a bass drum to boo bams as well as congo drums, bongo drums, toms that vary in size and pitch and many different cymbals and tam- tams

• click on the icon to the right to hear a clip of Sindur

Sindur cont.

• Masson took the melodic line presented in the first movement and varied it in the fourth

• Masson took the melodic line and and used it in fragments by augmentation, diminution, and transposition

• The melody can be heard in the fourth movement on the roto toms and the tom toms

Percussion in the beginningPercussion in the beginning

• John Cages Third Construction can be heard by clicking on the icon to the left

• This piece was written in 1941

Beginning cont.Beginning cont.

• Compare and contrast Sindur and Cage’s Third Construction

• Listen for the similarities between the two pieces and differences

• This would include its instrumentation and how the different parts overlap one another

ReferencesReferences

Askell Masson HomepageAskell Masson Homepage www.askellmasson.comwww.askellmasson.com