Füm Drum (Download)

two movements for percussion ensemble

Brian Slawson

Level: Medium

Duration: 4:20 total

Personnel: 9 players

Release Date: 2019

Product ID : TSPCE19-037DL

Price: $40.00

Item #: TSPCE19-037DL

Formats Available:

About delivery methods

Download Audio

Description

Füm Drum is a two movement piece for percussion ensemble by Brian Slawson. The piece was commissioned as a holiday work by Jim McCarl for the Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy Percussion Ensemble from Melbourne, Florida.

The first movement, Into the Light, has a dark and plodding character where one might envision the long, arduous trek of the three wise men to witness their new born King. The wildly contrasting second movement, Füm Drum, is a high-energy Mozambique (Afro-Cuban). Its narrative might suggest the wise men’s celebration upon arrival as told by the modern percussionist. There are three brief four-bar solos where performers get an opportunity to perform a written solo or improvise if they wish.

Use of this product is governed by the license terms outlined here.

Instrumentation

• Glockenspiel

• Xylophone

• Chimes

• Vibraphone

• Marimba (low A)

• Piano

• 3 timpani

• Drumset

• Cymbals & gongs (suspended cymbal, tam-tam)

• Drums (bongos, concert bass drum)

• Accessories (bell tree, tambourine, cowbell)

Reviews

“Füm Drum” is a unique interpretation in two movements based on the Catalonian Christmas carol “Fum, Fum, Fum.” This work features nine players, and at just over four minutes, this is the perfect addition for the holiday percussion ensemble or a symphonic band concert looking to spice up the program with a short percussion feature.

“Füm Drum” begins with the movement, “Into the Light,” which depicts the slow-moving voyage of the three wise men “en route to witness their newborn King.” This movement maintains an ominous texture through narrow melodic range and rhythmically simple parts that afford even the beginning player the opportunity for increased attention to producing the slow-moving tone colors evoked by the sparse minor timbres. The narrow range of the mallet parts coupled with the simple rhythms make this movement musically rewarding and straight-forward to learn.

The second movement, “Füm Drum,” treats the carol “Fum, Fum, Fum” to the syncopated stylings of an Afro-Cuban Mozambique. “Füm Drum” is packed full of energy and is every bit as exciting as “Into the Light,” is ominous. True to form, this Mozambique features layers of syncopated percussion parts pitted against an agile melody that hovers over the syncopated accompaniment. Within this danceable texture there are a few tricky syncopations within the mallets and piano parts; however, they feature simple rhythms and are repetitive, making this piece a great opportunity for challenging players who are less comfort- able with mallet percussion. Additionally, solos within the bongo, timpani, and drum set parts are fun and engaging, making this piece appropriate for the advanced middle school or high school percussion ensemble.

—Quintin Mallette
Percussive Notes
Vol. 58, No. 4, August 2020