Review:
A thoroughly impressive endeavour by master percussionist Steven Schick, The Percussionist's Art: Same Bed, Different Dreams is hugely informative and entertaining. Based entirely on Schick's first-hand experiences as a musician, The Percussionist's Art encompasses great insight into some of the great music written for solo percussion. A "must read" for every breathing musician, The Percussionist's Art will also fascinate those curious to know more about the current explosion of interest in the percussion world. --Dr. Evelyn Glennie, OBE, world-renowned solo percussionist
This is a really well-written, extremely knowledgeable, and thoroughly enjoyable book. . . . Incredible insights into and analysis of a huge array of important percussion music by one of our finest players. Highly recommended! --Steve Reich, composer, and author of Writings on Music (1965-2000)
Life-affirming. . . The "Art" in the title is a massive understatement, it should ideally be "The Percussionist's Philosophy, Psychology, Physiology, Theatricality, Choreography, Memory, Learning Process and Freedom of Choice" . . . Handsomely presented with copious score excerpts throughout and a CD of Schick's performances of seven of the pieces examined. --Paul Sarcich, Music and Vision The full review can be consulted at http://www.mvdaily.com/articles/2006/12/schick1.htm
This book gives scholars, composers, aficionados of percussion music, and percussion students and teachers an invaluable resource that can be considered the definitive source of information about the major works in the solo repertoire and the art of multiple percussion performance. One can scarcely turn the page without finding observations by the author that will help percussionists develop musically, intellectually, emotionally, physically, and spiritually. PERCUSSIVE NOTES, 2006
A magnificent work and indispensable book! [Magnifique ouvrage! Indispensable bouquin!] The production aspects (typography, page layout, readability of music examples) match the high standard of the writing. . . . A study written with rigor, but a rigor that leaves room for poetry." PERCU_INFOS 271 [Michel Faligand]
Steven Schick's recent book The Percussionist's Art: Same Bed, Different Dreams is an extraordinary example of musical writing that comes from inside the action. --Paul Griffiths
From the Publisher:
Paul Sarcich wrote on the UK web site, Music and Vision:
"Life-affirming...The 'Art' in the title is a massive understatement, it
should ideally be 'The Percussionist's Philosophy, Psychology, Physiology,
Theatricality, Choreography, Memory, Learning Process and Freedom of
Choice'...[Schick] sites the music in plenty of social, historical and
cultural background (not too many books on percussion will bring in the
Sorbonne riots or the AIDS epidemic!)...Music teachers should be reading
the sections on memory in music and the learning process... Handsomely
presented...with copious score excerpts throughout and a CD of Schick's
performances of seven of the pieces examined.
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.