J.S. Bach
Two-Part Three-Pack three Bach inventions for mallet duo
arranged by Brian Slawson
Two-Part Three-Pack. By J.S. Bach, arranged by Brian Slawson Š 2009 Tapspace Publications LLC (ASCAP), Portland, Oregon. All rights reserved. International copyright secured. Printed in USA. www.tapspace.com
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TSPCD-06
Performance Notes HISTORY J.S. Bach’s Two-Part Inventions is a collection of fifteen short keyboard works originally written as technical exercises for his students. They are contrapuntal pieces, (in this case) two voices of equal value but independent in contour and rhythm, unlike “vertical” pieces that employ melody, harmony, bass, etc. Brought forth in the Renaissance and culminating in the Baroque period, the contrapuntal style of writing served as a catalyst for rounds, canons, and ultimately fugues, of which Bach was an absolute master. ENSEMBLE Mallet instruments are wonderfully suited for the keyboard music of Bach. These duets are ideally played on two marimbas. The treble clef part is playable on a small (4 octave) marimba. If necessary, this part may be played on vibraphone with little or no pedaling. The bass part requires a 4 1/3 octave marimba (low A). Medium to hard mallets should be utilized for a clear, articulate tone. I’ve included some basic dynamic markings merely as a guide, intended to help shape Bach’s ideas to best suit keyboard percussion. I recommend strict adherence to tempo in order to maximize the rhythmic vitality inherently found in this music. Carefully maintaining a sense of the specific meter, as opposed to simply acknowledging relationships between eighth and sixteenth notes, will make for a more invigorating performance. Remember, because there are many notes, it does not necessarily mean they must be played fast. It may also be effective to maintain “loose hands,” playing slight crescendi and decrescendi, depending on the shape of the line. Coordinating such an approach between both players will enable the music to “breathe” and help connect the phrases. These particular inventions can also be performed in succession (as three “movements”) in the order of 13, 4 and 8 to great effect. - Brian Slawson
About Brian Slawson Since his scholarship studies at The Juilliard School, Brian Slawson has continued to pioneer innovative paths in percussion. Grammy-nominated as ‘Best New Classical Artist,’ Brian has appeared on NBC’s Tonight Show, Entertainment Tonight, The CBS Morning News and NPR’s “All Things Considered.” Mr. Slawson has an extensive discography, including solo releases on the Sony/CBS and Belltone labels. His smash debut, Bach On Wood hit Billboard’s Top 10 and remains one of the world’s premier vehicles for exposing new audiences to classical music. Brian has shared the stage with classical luminaries Leonard Bernstein and Aaron Copland, recorded with pop icons from Stevie Ray Vaughan to Marie Osmond and punctuated jokes for comedians Bill Maher, Eddie Murphy, and Jerry Seinfeld. He is the voice of “Gusto the Bulldog” in Warner Bros. Music Expressions and a featured artist in McGrawHill’s Spotlight on Music. In addition to serving as Principal Timpanist of the Brevard Symphony Orchestra, Brian’s multi-media company, Slawsongs, has created award-winning custom music for feature films, television and radio. Mr. Slawson proudly endorses Ludwig-Musser, Zildjian, Vic Firth, Remo, Grover Pro Percussion, Rhythm Tech, Alternate Mode and Sibelius. His teachers have included Saul Goodman, Buster Bailey, Alexander Lepak, David Smith and Drew Grouse. Legendary vibraphonist, Lionel Hampton, described Brian Slawson as “one of the finest percussionists to come along in many years.” Modern Drummer magazine calls Brian “a visionary, be it performer, producer or composer.”
Level: Medium Duration: 1’15”
Two-Part Invention No. 13
J.S. Bach arr. by Brian Slawson
for mallet duo
L R Player 1 Allegro tranquillo q = 84
Player 2 mf
mf
L
R
R
R R R R R R R 3
1
2
6
1
2
R R
R
L
R
R R
R
R R R R R R R R 9
1
2
12
1
2
R
R
L
L
L
© 2009 Tapspace Publications, LLC (ASCAP). Portland, OR. International copyright secured. All rights reserved.
2
1
R 14
Two-Part Three-Pack - arr. Slawson
R
mp
2
R
mp
R
17
1
2
L
R R R
L 19
1
2
21
1
2
R
rit.
cresc.
2
L L R R L L 23
1
L
cresc.
TSPCD-06
(no roll)
(no roll)
Level: Medium Duration: 1’00”
Two-Part Invention No. 4 for mallet duo
L Player 1 Allegro e = 154
R
mf
Player 2
1
2
f
R
mf
J.S. Bach arr. by Brian Slawson
R
R
R
R R
R R
R
R R
f
8 R R R R R R R R
RR
R
R R
R R R R R R R R R R R
mf
1
16 R L
f
R R
2
L
mp
mf
R R R R
f
R R R R R R R R R R R
23
1
2
© 2009 Tapspace Publications, LLC (ASCAP). Portland, OR. International copyright secured. All rights reserved.
Two-Part Three-Pack - arr. Slawson
4
1
2
30 R R
L
37
1
2
1
f
mf
R R
R
L R R R R R
R
R
R
R
R
L
R
R R 44 L
R R
f
f
2
L R R
L R
L
R R
rit.
48
1
2
R
R R
TSPCD-06
R
f
f
R R R
Level: Medium Duration: 0’55”
Two-Part Invention No. 8
J.S. Bach arr. by Brian Slawson
for mallet duo
Allegro q = 118 R R L L Player 1 mf
Player 2
1
f
mf
L R R f
5 L L
L
2
L
L L
L L L R R L L R R
9
1
2
1
2
13 L L L
L R R
L
© 2009 Tapspace Publications, LLC (ASCAP). Portland, OR. International copyright secured. All rights reserved.
Two-Part Three-Pack - arr. Slawson
6
1
R R
17 R L
L L L
2
L 21
1
2
L
2
L 24
1
2
2
R
L
L
L
R
L
L L
L L L L L R R
31
1
L
28
1
TSPCD-06
rit.