For prepared piano and percussion, includes two scores. From Without combines sounds from a well-prepared piano with a timbrak built by the percussionist. Written for the duo Conundrum, this work requires good cooperation between the performers. ca 8' 30"
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Review from Percussive Notes:
David Macbride – From Without
“From Without” uses prepared piano and timbrack— a series of metal instruments that the performer assembles to construct a single instrument arranged in a “scale”—to create a duet that is fantastically well matched in timbre. Though one might think a percussion part full of metal would involve a lot of crashing and loud dynamics, this piece is quite delicate and precise. The piano and percussion parts blend and take turns emphasizing each other’s accented patterns. The preparation instructions for both the piano and the timbrak are very detailed; each note on the piano is to be prepared in a specific way with either a particular sized Lego, a wooden dowel, piece of foam, or clothespins. The timbrak is notated in terms of pitch, with instructions that the chosen instruments be the actual notated pitch if possible, and at least relatively spaced by interval. A precise table of mallet symbols and stroke symbols are used throughout the piece. “From Without” is unexpectedly beautiful, and alternately spacious and groovy. The parts are so detailed, and require such congruence between the players, that this piece is best attempted by advanced players with ears attuned to delicacy and nuance. It would be a fabulous addition to a chamber recital anywhere that allows for prepared piano.
—Marilyn K. Clark Silva
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