Chamber Music percussion quartet SKU: PO.PE178S
Composed by John Psathas. Arranged by William Schuman. This edition: softcover. Sws. Full score. Promethean Editions #PE178S. Published by Promethean Editions (PO.PE178S). ISBN 9781877564789. 30.5 x 22 cm inches.
John Psathas 4BY4 (2012) is a high-energy and challenging multi-percussion work that takes ensemble- playing to the edge of technical possibility. It is also a highly entertaining work with its inclusion of genre-defying grooves and polyrhythmic complexity. Each player is assigned a unique combination of instruments, including tom-toms, cymbals, congas, snare drums, hi-hats and tambourine. All players use kick-drums, which unify the quartet and underpin the work's momentum. If Dave Weckl, Christopher Lamb, Steven Schick and Giovanni Hidalgo – all percussion virtuosi from widely different genres – were to have a jam session, I cant help but think that it would sound something like 4BY4, Dr. Omar Carmenates (Furman University, SC, USA).