Watermelon

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Description +
- As we listen to this beautiful piece of music, let us take a moment to appreciate the majesty of the watermelon. From its vibrant, deep red flesh to its crisp and refreshing taste, the watermelon is a true wonder of nature. As the first notes of this composition fill the air, we are transported to a sun-drenched field, where plump and juicy watermelons bask in the warm summer sun.
  
  The music starts to build up and we can almost taste the sweet, succulent fruit as it melts in our mouths. The watermelon is not just a simple fruit, but a symphony of flavors and textures. With each bite, we are treated to an explosion of sweetness and juice, a testament to the incredible complexity of this humble fruit.
  
  But the watermelon is not just a delicacy to be enjoyed on a hot summer day. It is also a nutritional powerhouse, packed with vitamins and minerals that are essential for our health and well-being. From its high water content to its abundance of antioxidants, the watermelon is a true gift to the body and the mind.
  
  While we are enjoying this exquisite music, let us remember to cherish the watermelon, and all of the natural wonders that grace our world. For in this fruit, we are reminded of the boundless beauty and abundance of the natural world, and the endless possibilities that lie within.
  
  Watermelon was premiered during 10th edition of IKMMA:
  
  1. Joshua Bellis, USA
  2. Amelia Salloum, POLAND
  3. Kiko Asensi, SPAIN
  4. Chun-An Chuang, TAIWAN
  
  Venue: St. Moniuszko Academy of Music in Gdańsk/Poland
  Date: 22 July 2023
Instrumentation +
- For four players on one Marimba
Watch+
- Joshua Bellis - USA
  Amelia Salloum - Poland
  Kiko Asensi - Spain
  Chun-an Chuang - Taiwan
  
  World Premiere on July 2023 during
  10th International Katarzyna Myćka Marimba Academy in Gdańsk/Poland marimbasolo.com
About the composer +
- A multi-talented musician, Valentin Kervadec has been studying at the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique et de Danse de Paris in Gilles Durot's percussion class since 2020.
  
  Naturally interested in the plurality of instruments, he has developed a passion for composition since he was very young.
  
  His repertoire includes dozens of pieces ranging from string quartets to brass bands, with an important place dedicated to piano and percussion, instruments for which he has a particular interest.
  
  Nourished by a variety of artistic worlds that enhance a true creativity, his writing is determined by an inspiration for jazz, electronic and minimalist music.
  
  Always faithful to his core training as a classical musician, Valentin is also invited to play with formations such as the Orchestre National de l'Opéra de Paris or the Orchestre National de France.
Reviews +
- Review (Percussive Notes, June 2024)
  
  This new quartet was premiered during the 10th annual International Katarzyna Mycka Marimba Academy. The quartet that premiered the work was from Poland, Spain, Taiwan, and the United States. The work is for four players on one marimba with each player only requiring two mallets. However, there are many fast passages and syncopated sections that make this piece more difficult than it appears.
  
  “Watermelon” works almost like a jazz tune, slowly building up the accompanying lines before the main melody comes in with player one. Player four should be a very strong rhythmic player, as the bass line holds much of this work together. Players one and two need to be comfortable with fast-moving passages, playing off of one another and producing smooth rolls for the slower section.
  
  Valentin Kervadec takes this piece through many different places, starting with common time, moving to 12/8, back to common, and back again. The players need to be very adept with moving between these different time signatures, and with providing a groove feel in those meters. Along with this, the work moves through a variety of keys, making players be very cognizant of what they are playing and how it sounds. According to the composer, the purpose of this work is to explore the complexity of the watermelon — a fruit that seems so simple at first, but its flavor and nutritional value offer a surprise to those who eat it.
  
  This work would be great for an undergraduate quartet, and it would go well on a variety of concert settings, from percussion ensemble to band and community concerts.
  
  —Josh Armstrong
Credits +
- With support from Koda’s Cultural Funds
  Front Cover graphics and layout: Nicola Lee
  Photo: Ewen Kervadec
  Printed in Copenhagen, Denmark
  Copyright © Edition SVITZER
  www.editionsvitzer.com

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