Blue Soul

Item details

Description +
- Preface
  
  Blue Soul is the most recent work in my series of “blue” pieces. It was commissioned by Edition Svitzer in collaboration with Daniel Berg, The Royal College of Music in Stockholm, Sweden and the Academy of Music and Drama in Gothenburg, Sweden. The Quintet features 2 vibraphones and 2 marimbas with rhythmic and timbrel reinforcement in the 5th part, primarily comprised of skinned membranes and wooden sounds.
  
  When I think of a blue soul, I don’t think of sadness, as might be associated with such a title. It’s more of a reflective and present soul, appreciative and fully immersed in the world and people in their lives. Blue is my favorite color and one that reminds me of hope and good things.
  
  Blue Soul is in memory of Dex, my dog and best buddy. I’ll miss you on my walks, but I’ll never forget you pal.
  
  Michael Burritt
Instrumentation +
- Percussion Quintet
  
  Player 1
  Vibraphone (F-F)
  Glockenspiel
  Wooden Plank (resonant)
  Tom, small (double headed)
  
  Player 2
  Vibraphone (low C)
  Bass Drum, 28-32”
  Tambourim Crotales
  
  Player 3
  Marimba (5.0 Octave)
  Tom, medium (double headed)
  
  Player 4
  Marimba (5.0 Octave)
  Tom, large (double headed)
  Bamboo Chimes
  
  Player 5
  Tam Tam (w/ metal stick)
  Bongos
  2 Congas
  Susp. Cymbal (medium)
  Kick Drum w/ pedal (22”)
  Glockenspiel
  Xylophone
  Wooden Plank (resonant)
  Hi-Hat
  Harmonica in C
Watch+
- Performed by MJB Eastman Percussion Ensemble
About the composer +
- Having performed in four continents and more than forty states, Michael Burritt is one of his generation's most accomplished percussionists. He is in frequent demand performing concert tours and master classes throughout the United States, Europe, Asia, Australia and Canada. Mr. Burritt has been soloist with the United States Air Force Band, Dallas Wind Symphony, Omaha Symphony, Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra, Richmond Symphony Orchestra, Nexus, Third Coast Percussion, Ju Percussion Group (Taiwan), Percussion Art Quartet (Germany) and the Amores Percussion Group (Spain). Mr. Burritt has three solo as well as numerous chamber recordings. In 2018 he recorded his Home Trilogy with the world renown percussion group Nexus and is soon to release a new recording of solo and chamber works by Alejandro Viñao with the Grammy Award winning Third Coast Percussion. Burritt recently premiered Fast Forward, Chamber Concerto commissioned for him in celebration of the centennial of the Eastman School of Music by Pulitzer Prize winning Composer Joseph Schwantner.
  
  He has been a featured artist at nine Percussive Arts Society International Conventions. In 1992 he presented his New York solo debut in Weill Hall at Carnegie Hall and in 1998 performed his London debut in the Purcell Room at Queen Elizabeth Hall. Mr. Burritt has extensive chamber and orchestral experience and has performed with the Chicago Chamber Musicians, The Chicago Symphony, Nexus, Third Coast Percussion and The Peninsula Music Festival Orchestra.
  
  Mr. Burritt is also active as a composer, with three concertos to his credit as well as numerous solo and chamber works for marimba and percussion. His works for solo marimba have become standard repertoire for the instrument and are frequently required repertoire on international competitions. Commissions include The World Marimba Competition in Stuttgart Germany, The Paris International Marimba Competition, Nexus and Paris Percussion Group. Zildjian recently commissioned Mr Burritt to compose a 30 minute work in celebration of the company’s 400 years anniversary in 2023. Mr. Burritt is published with Keyboard Percussion Publications, C. Alan, Masters Music and Innovative Percussion. Burritt is also an artist/clinician and product design/consultant for Malletech, where he has developed his own line of marimba mallets and the MJB Signature Marimba. He is an artist/educational clinician with the Zildjian Company and Evans Drum Heads and Yamaha Drums. Mr. Burritt is currently the President of Percussive Arts Society, was a member of the Board of Directors from 1996 - 2008, was a contributing editor for Percussive Notes Magazine from 1991 – 2006 and was chairman of the PAS Keyboard Committee from 2004 – 2010.
  
  Mr. Burritt is currently holds the Paul J. Burgett Distinguished Professorship and is Professor of Percussion at The Eastman School of Music where he is only the third person in the history of the school to hold this position. Prior to his appointment at Eastman, Mr. Burritt was Professor of Percussion at Northwestern University from 1995-2008 where he developed a program of international distinction. Mr. Burritt received his Bachelor and Master of Music Degrees, as well as the prestigious Performers Certificate from the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York.
Reviews +
- Review (Percussive Notes, June 2024)
  
  “Blue Soul” for percussion quintet is the most recent work in Michael Burritt’s Blue Series. It was commissioned by Edition Svitzer in collaboration with Daniel Berg, The Royal College of Music in Stockholm, Sweden, and the Academy of Music and Drama in Gothenburg, Sweden. Burritt writes, “Blue is my favorite color and one that reminds me of hope and good things… ’Blue Soul’ is in memory of Dex, my dog and best buddy. I’ll miss you on my walks, but I’ll never forget you, pal.”
  
  “Blue Soul” features the two vibraphone and marimba parts with the fifth player serving as rhythmic and timbral support. The parts are demanding in both rhythmic and melodic content and require strong chamber-music skills. Typical of Burritt’s work, players will need to understand how their part fits into the larger texture and how to blend.
  
  From an accessibility perspective “Blue Soul” will be enjoyed both by players and audience. The rich harmonies combined with dolce minimalist melodic content in the way only Burritt can achieve is brilliant. I highly recommend “Blue Soul” for any advanced percussion ensemble looking to engage its players and audience.
  
  —Joe Millea
Credits +
- With support from Koda’s Cultural Funds
  Painting: Alyssa Hamilton
  Front Cover Artwork: Nicola Lee
  Photo: Colin McCall
  Printed in Copenhagen, Denmark
  Copyright © Edition SVITZER
  www.editionsvitzer.com

Item details

Related publications