John Psathas’ 4BY4 (2012) is a high-energy and challenging multi-percussion work that takes ensemble- playing to the edge of technical possibility. It is also a highly entertaining work with its inclusion of genre-defying grooves and polyrhythmic complexity. Each player is assigned a unique combination of instruments, including tom-toms, cymbals, congas, snare drums, hi-hats and tambourine. All players use kick-drums, which unify the quartet and underpin the work’s momentum. “If Dave Weckl, Christopher Lamb, Steven Schick and Giovanni Hidalgo – all percussion virtuosi from widely different genres – were to have a jam session, I can’t help but think that it would sound something like 4BY4,” Dr. Omar Carmenates (Furman University, SC, USA). .embed-container { position: relative; padding-bottom:56.25%; height:0; overflow: hidden; max-width: 100%; } .embed-container iframe, .embed-container object, .embed-container embed { position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%;}
