Frightmare (Beethoven) (Download)

Brian Slawson has created a two-movement percussion ensemble appropriate for a younger group. In the first movement he scored Beethoven’s “Piano Sonata No. 14,” Opus 27, No. 2 Mvt. 1, or the “Moonlight” sonata, for this ensemble in a creepy setting. Along with the music] itself, the use of metallics such as scraped cymbals, bowed tamtam, and bass drum adds to the dramatic effect of the movement. The second movement is an arrangement of Beethoven’s “11 Bagatelles,” Opus 119, No. 9 – Vivace Moderato. This movement is more lively than the previous one, and creates a creepy, waltz-like feel. Flexatone, goat hooves, and vibraslap add to the effect.

Although short, this work does an excellent job of allowing a younger ensemble to experience the music of Beethoven, and would be great for introducing them to his piano music. Rhythmically, the work is very straight forward using only quarter notes and longer in the first movement and eighth notes and longer in the second. The juxtaposition of the two different feels, while being the same relative tempo, is done quite well. As the composer says in the notes, “The contrast in character should be alarming.”

This work would go great on a junior high concert in the fall, around Halloween, or even on a high school concert for something fun. Slawson says it should “lull the listener into a murky place of mysterious, dark shadows.” He achieves this quite well through the choice of piano pieces, and the orchestration of them throughout the ensemble.

—Josh Armstrong
Percussive Notes
Vol. 60, No. 3, June 2022