Almost Impossible To Play

Esprit’s season is rushing up on me, almost creating a sense of breathlessness – not just because of the time frame and amount of energy it takes to get the season off the ground, but also because of the anticipation that comes with the exciting pieces we have in store. Not only that, but exceptional things are going on with Esprit’s musicians.

At our next concert on October 4th, Mark Duggan is required to play the featured timpani part in Jörg Widmann’s Con Brio in extraordinary ways. Purposely written to be almost impossible to play (creating excitement - especially for the player), the part has an ever-changing set of special instructions for the player on how, in rapid succession, to use non-ordinary techniques to make sound:

- beat on the counterhoop of timp with rattan drumstick;

- rub the rattan handles on the rods on the outside of the bowl of the drum;

- play a tremolo between the bowl and the rod with a knitting needle;

- press rattan shaft on rod and allow to snap on bowl while flexed;

- tune the timps differently from the tuning at the beginning;

- play glissandos (sliding pitches) by changing the pedal tension;

- beat two drum sticks against each other (crossed over) in the air.

These instructions continue to be varied and changing at high speed throughout the piece.

When we played the work on tour in China, the composer was there and was thrilled at how brilliantly Mark performed, achieving the intended results beyond Widmann’s expectations.

I hope you can be at Koerner Hall to hear Mark perform the work again with us.

- Alex Pauk