percussion
czardas - v. monti
A marimba concerto transcribed from the famous violin showpiece, my performance of Czardas by Vittorio Monti explores playful twists in rhythm and tone, turning the piece into a true roller coaster ride. The chemistry between my instrument and the beloved Greater Victoria Youth Orchestra—an ensemble I’ve performed with for three years—is unmistakable. Playing alongside every musician, and under the direction of Yariv, a conductor I’ve known and admired for long, made the experience feel effortless and electric. I savoured every step leading up to this concerto, and at last, this performance became the purest expression of “just have fun with it!”
CELLO SUITE NO.3 PRELUDE - J.S. BACH
etude 1 - vic firth
My performance of Etude No. 1 by Vic Firth focuses on the contrast between slow, steady rhythms and very fast, energetic passages. The piece constantly shifts between the two, which makes it both challenging and exciting to play. One of the main features of this etude is an arm-crossing technique, which is essential for reaching different drums smoothly and keeping the musical line connected. When I play this etude, I feel grounded in the slower sections and then fully alert in the fast ones, almost like the piece is guiding me through different states of energy. It forces you to stay present, and that’s what I enjoy most about it.
flight of the bumblebee - r. korsakov
810 notes in 90 seconds. That’s what it takes me to play Flight of the Bumblebee on the marimba! I enjoyed every second of learning and playing this short but feisty piece. To be frank, I think this piece perfectly encapsulates who I am: short and feisty! I’ll end my description of this piece on a short note as well. ;)