Burritt Variations by Alejandro Vinao - Marimba Literature Library

Burritt Variations, by Alejandro Vinao
Performed by Sam Um

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Mallets:
Robert van Sice Signature Series
http://vicfirth.com/robert-van-sice/

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ABOUT THE PIECE:

This work is a set of seven variations on a theme of my own invention. However, the theme has a quality reminiscent of some of the music of Latin America. In that sense it is a 'latino' theme, but one that is difficult to pin down to a particular region of Latin America. Perhaps the theme and the overall feeling of the piece are closer to the musical styles of the Caribbean, such as salsa, with its repeated phrases that shift against complex pulses. The beginning of the piece came to me as something very simple and familiar, related to the music I grew up playing and listening to in Buenos Aires as a young man. Progressively the piece become more complex, exploring various rhythmic procedures that have interested me for a many years, such as music with more that one speed, pulse or tempo going on at the same time.

Each variations presents the listener with the challenge, and I hope the excitement, of listening to rhythmic patterns that combine with each other to form complex layers while seeking to retain the quality that makes one want to move, dance, or foot-tap following a ‘groove’. The piece pays homage to the many Latin American musical traditions I grew up with, that so strongly remain with us today. Burritt Variations was commissioned by Michael Burritt.

Alejandro Vinao

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ABOUT THE PERFORMER:

Sam Um is a young percussion artist specializing in solo marimba and chamber percussion repertoires. Mr. Um is known to be very “flexible” among musicians as he pursues to be fluent in all genres such as jazz, classical, funk, rock, gospel etc.

Receiving numerous recognitions from numerous festivals, Mr. Um continued his way to be active among festivals and competitions. As the winner of the Marimba Concerto Competition at the Eastman School of Music, Mr. Um has performed Concerto for Marimba and Strings by Emmanuel Sejourne on the February of 2014 with Graduate Chamber Orchestra on the Kodak Hall at the Eastman School of Music. Also, Mr. Um was awarded 3rd place at the 2012 PAS NYU Marimba Competition. He also competed at numerous International competitions such as the Linz Marimba Competition and the Great Plains International Marimba Competition. Mr. Um achieved Honorable Mention status in the Talent Category of the 2010 Maryland Distinguished Scholar Program, and he was recognized a Musicianship Award - “Outstanding musicianship and distinguished musical excellence” by The Instrumentalist Magazine.

Sam Um has performed in various places in America. In 2016, Mr. Um has premiered Aria by Christopher Theofanidis and Hannah Lash’s Prelude and Chorale during the Yale Percussion Group concert. Mr. Um also performed with the Eastman Percussion Ensemble at the 2013 Percussion Arts Society International Convention in Indianapolis, IN. Mr. Um also performed solo recitals and concerts in Sage Chapel in Cornell University in Ithaca NY, and various churches and concert halls in Upstate New York, Greater DC area, New Jersey, Connecticut and many more. Mr. Um was part of the Percussion section for the 2014 Eastman Wind Ensemble Recording session with the producer, Jeff Tyzik. Sam performed with worldly renowned musicians such as Michael Burritt, Eric Sammut, Itzhak Perlman, Ian Bousfield, Jim Pugh and many more. Mr. Um is also frequent sub for the United States Coast Guard Band.

As for summer festivals, In the summer of 2016, Mr. Um participated in Yellow Barn Chamber Music Festival. In 2014, Mr. Um participated in Chosen Vale Percussion Seminar and performed a marimba solo as a special case concert.

As for drum set, Mr. Um was featured on a drum set solo for Symphony No. 2 by Jose Serebrier conducted by Serebrier himself with the Yale Philharmonia. Mr. Um also played in numerous jazz bands and combo such as Maryland All State Jazz Big Band, WJ Combo, for both drums and vibraphone. Sam was named to the 31st Chantilly 2011 Jazz Festival’s All Star Band for “outstanding performance on the drums.”

Sam Um is currently pursuing Master of Music degree at the Yale School of Music under the worldly renowned marimba/percussion virtuoso, Robert van Sice. Mr. Um earned his Bachelor of Music degree at the Eastman School of Music under Michael Burritt where he was nominated for the Performer’s Certificate, a prestigious honor, and is also a recipient of John Beck Scholarship at the Eastman School of Music.

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