Trevino, Catching Shadows
This work was written originally for two marimbas. In this sextet version the marimbas play the most prominent role, but I want to focus on the cajón drum (sometimes called a tapa)—maybe the only instrument that you sit on to play.
Our trailer for the Discovering Music course included a segment with the cajón, and people often expressed an interest in learning something about it.
The instrument has Afro-Peruvian origins and is associated with American slaves in the Spanish Colonial period and folk styles with African and Latin roots. It dates back to the 16th century, but it has become popular more recently in jazz, blues, and various other contemporary styles. It substitutes well for a traditional bass drum, although it offers a variety of sounds depending on where you strike it and what part of the hand you use.
This work by Mexican-American percussionist Ivan Trevino (b. 1983) is divided into three sections (fast-slow-fast). It is scored for two marimbas, two vibraphones, glockenspiel, 2 cajóns, stacked cymbals, hi-hats, and optional crotales. Crotales? We will save that one for another day, but look front left at about the 3:50 mark.
Trevino studied at Eastman under Michael Burritt, whose work Fandango 13 was featured in one of the first videos in this series. If you like Trevino’s work, you might want to go back and make some comparisons.
