Synbad

Item details

• Description +

  • Duration: 6 min.
    
    ...An attractive composition for 4 players on one 5-oct marimba. Based on melodic and rhythmic grooves, through all the parts. There are three themes with each player in the front, which leads to an increasing end...

• Instrumentation +

  • Percussion Quartet:
    
    4 Marimbas

• About the composer +

  • Walter Mertens, born 30 April 1965, began his musical studies at the Academy for Music in Mol. He won a First Prize Percussion at the Royal Conservatory in Antwerp. Mr. Louis Caubergs was his teacher. He obtained the Higher Degree at the Lemmens Institute in Leuven with Mr. Leo Ouderits as his tutor and mentor. To complete his musical studies, Walter Mertens obtained a Master Degree at the Royal Conservatory in Antwerp, also guided by Mr. Leo Ouderits.  
    
    Nowadays Walter Mertens teaches percussion, ensemble and instrumental ensemble. He is also coordinator at the Academy for Music in Schoten.   
    
    Besides his teaching Walter often participates in workshops, he offers artistic support and is frequently asked as a member of the jury for contests for soloists and ensembles in Belgium and abroad e.g. Vlamo, Belfius Classics, Belgian Percussion Days 2011, 2012, Perculliria (Spain), Bumfest (Slovenia), Waubonsie Valley High School (Chicago US). 
    
    Together with three other professional percussionists, Walter Mertens forms the group '4Pk'.This renowned quartet arose from the former Mol Percussion Orchestra and plays its own creations at home and abroad. As a composer, Walter Mertens focuses on teaching methods as well as compositions for percussion solo, duo, ensemble, symphonic orchestra, musical, wind instruments, jazz combo, piano, chamber music and choir. Several compositions won prizes in different competitions or were assignments in national and international contests or manifestations such as WVMC in Kerkrade (Nl), Temsig-Slovenian Music Competition for youth (SLO), EMJ Neerpelt (B), Vlamo (B).  
    
    The oeuvre of Walter Mertens is well-known far beyond our boundaries and one can find it in Europe, America and Asia.

• Credits +

  • Front Cover graphics and layout: Gaia Gomes
    Engraving: Walter Mertens
    Printed in Copenhagen, Denmark
    www.editionsvitzer.com

Related publications

Atlantic Breeze

The Kansalla Story