Includes score.
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Review from Percussive Notes (2021):
Songbells
David Macbride
“Songbells” is a glockenspiel solo that explores the use of different playing implements, as well as the music of the Byrds and The Beatles. The player will need plastic mallets with large and small heads, hard rubber mallets, soft plastic with moleskin, medium yarn, hard cord, and soft yarn.
The piece begins with repeated figures on the bells, then moves into a section titled “Piping.” This section is reminiscent of an Irish tune being played on a music box that is slowly running down, creating a haunting effect. Next comes a soft lullaby in the lower end of the instrument, which leads into a “chant like” section. This is followed by a take on the tune “The Bells of Rhymney” recorded by the Byrds. The tune is a little slower than the original, and not in a strict meter, and features syncopations and rolls. From there it moves into “If I Needed Someone,” by George Harrison. This is played much slower than the original, and is only slightly reminiscent of the original. The bells slowly fade out as this section ends.
This work is fascinating in its exploration of not only the different timbral effects the bells can produce through implement choice, but through the different songs and styles used. It would be interesting to have the original tunes being played as the audience entered the concert hall to familiarize them with the original material this work is based on. The piece would work very well on an upper-level recital. The musicality required, and the touch needed on this very temperamental instrument, will require an adept player with a keen sense of timbre.
--Josh Armstrong
Demo:
