PercussivePerspectives
Together with Yvonne Forbes I have published 'Percussive Perspectives' a book containing original graded compositions for snare drum, timpani and tuned percussion some of which were used nationally as part of the Guildhall School of Music percussion syllabus.
The book was born out of a need for progressive musical materials necessary for the aspiring percussionist and is divided into three main sections dealing with snare drum, timpani and tuned percussion. The compositions progress and include various playing techniques common to each section. For example, the gradual inclusion of various rudiments in the snare drum pieces, damping, pedal tuning and multiple drums in the timpani pieces, scale, arpeggio and three mallet work in tuned percussion and rolling in all areas.
Together with a separate pull out piano accompaniment booklet it is hoped that the student will approach these pieces as compositions rather than just studies which means musical interpretation is paramount.
Also included in the book are mini biographies of key percussionists in Britain each of whom have made their mark in the musical fabric of this country.
Please use the contact form to purchase
£6.95 GBP
Les Sculptures Sonores
This 160 page volume traces the history and growth of the two pioneering French brothers Baschet who came up with a completely new way of combining sculpture and sound. Some small, some over 20 feet high and incorporating glass rods, metal cones, wires, inflatable resonators and much more. This book is many things, not only Fracois Baschet's fascinating account of his life and travels, with amusing anecdotes detailing meetings, working relationships and friendships with major forces in the art world such as Jean Cocteau, Yehudi Menhuin, Edgar Varese, Pierre Sc haeffer, Henri Lazarof, Ravi Shankar, John Cage, David Tudor and Toru Takemitsu, but a complete description and technical analysis of the instruments, their research and chronological development.
Click here to purchase or from FMR records £14.99 GBP includes CD
Star Song
Star Song is suitable for choirs ranging from junior to senior school and adults (SSA). It is an original composition using words inspired by Calvin Millers' book The Song. It has been used in many Christmas celebrations and festivals and was performed at the Royal Albert Hall as part of a Christmas Celebrity Concert in 1995. There are instrumental backing parts for: keyboard (synth), bass guitar, guitar (rhythm), percussion and drum kit. A recorded performance can be supplied by way of a demo.
Click here to purchase. Sheet music £5.95 GBP (Instrumental parts available to purchase or hire)
Here are a selection of compositions written for past Trinity College London drum kit exams. Some of these appear in the series: Raise the Bar published by Trinity College London Press (scores and backing tracks).
In ad lib passages, the recorded drums stop and the click keeps pulse - this is so the candidate can create his/her own solo fills without being influenced by what might have been played on the track.
©M.Ball
©M.Ball
©M.Ball
©M.Ball
©M.Ball
©M.Ball
©M.Ball
©M.Ball
Copyright exists on all of these recordings.
Downloading and electronic reproduction of any audio clip is illegal without the express permission of the copyright owner.
R e c o r d i n g s
As ever, these audio clips are best listened to through good quality headphones or speakers with a wide timbral range.
New British Music Vol 1.
FMR AVANT CD35-0996 £10.99 GBP. The CD NEW BRITISH MUSIC VOL 1 includes my piece ‘Close your eyes and see...' for orchestra.
The CD also includes works by: Elizabeth Lutyens - Elizabeth Maconchy - Alan Bullard - Alan Parsons - Trevor Taylor - Eric Hudes - Nicola Ellis & Phil McGovern
Recorded at Walthamstow Assembly Hall London. 24-11-1996
The FMR Recording Orchestra
leader: Sarah Freestone
conducted by Andrew Parmley
The score for ‘Close your eyes and see...' is available for sale and parts are available for hire .e-mail for details
Click here to purchase via e-mail or from FMR records
Listen to audio excerpt here
© M.Ball
'Close your eyes and see'... is dedicated to all those who suffered the insufferable at Auschwitz 1 and Auschwitz/Birkenau concentration camp during World War II.
The title is a fragment from the speech given by Nobel peace prize winner and survivor of Auschwitz and Buchenwald concentration camps Elie Wiesel at the International Monument to the victims of Fascism, Auschwitz/Birkenau on January 27 1995 to commemorate 50 years of the liberation of the camp.
Although the initial inspiration for the piece was Auschwitz, one should not forget the millions who perished in hundreds of other camps in Germany and Eastern Europe in what was surely the darkest period in the history of man.
The aim of the piece is to explore and present in an approachable form, some aspects of contemporary orchestral music to semi professional and youth orchestras.
The piece was written in 1995 the year of the 50th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz. Musically it explores textural ideas, some of which are found in the music of Polish composer Penderecki, for example string clusters, ad lib tempo sections and instruments at their extremes of register.
FREE TRIO
Mark Allaway - Saxophones & Flutes, Malcolm Ball - Drums & Percussion, Paul Downing - Electric Bass Guitar
Click here to purchase via e-mail or from FMR records
The idea behind this album was to record a number of loosely arranged compositional concepts. In such a way that the musicians involved had just enough supporting structure to keep the momentum of free improvisation going throughout the recording session.
It was hoped that each improvisation would have a distinct identity whilst belonging to the general gestalt of the project.
Listen to audio excerpt here
1. Trio Warm Up
2. Raindrops
3. Strings
4. Row Chat
5. Chords
6. Hyper-Drone
7. Curves
8. Bits
9. Reverso
10. Backwards Dialectic
11. Texture Me
12. Dynamism
13. Tell Me
14. Don't Tell Me
15. I'm Free
16. Modality 1
17. Modality 2
© M.Ball, P. Downing, M. Alloway
1. Tell Me Now
2. Snake In The Grass
3. Metamorphosis
4. Savannah Song
5. Jim'll Fix It
6. Fly By Wire
7. Contemplation
8. Rain Dance
9. Twisting Shadows
10. Ballad For Paul
11. Rodent Rap
Fly by Wire (Kate Cuzner)
I joined flutist Kate Cuzner in the production of this eclectic album of original compositions by Kate with:
Kate Cuzner, flutes, sax, keyboards
Malcolm Ball, drums, percussion
Alastair Gavin, piano, keyboards
Bernard O'neill, bass
Click here to purchase via e-mail or from FMR records
Listen to audio excerpts here
© K.Cuzner
© K. Cuzner
1. Offering
2. Tempus Fugit
3. Alpha Waves
4. Dusk Street Drift
5. Yama No Kiri
6. Compos Mentis
7. z8_GND 5296
8. Rain Dance
Compos Mentis. Na (Kate Cuzner & Malcolm Ball)
Malcolm Ball, Ondes Martenot, Percussion
Kate Cuzner, Flutes, Piano, Live Electronics
Aurigami (formerly Na) creates an Electric and immersive mix of improvised music using acoustic, analogue and digital sources.
Click here to purchase via e-mail or from FMR records
1. Inception
2. Parley
3. Spin
4. Wired
5. The Project
6. Magic Carpet
7. Realization
8. Modifie Etats
9. Klangerz - Toodle Oo
The Project (Kate Cuzner & Malcolm Ball)
Aurigami
Malcolm Ball, Ondes Martenot, Percussion
Kate Cuzner, Flutes, Piano, Live Electronics
Click here to purchase via e-mail
Listen to audio excerpt here
© M.Ball, K. Cuzner
© M.Ball, K. Cuzner
See more at: Aurigami Music
Check out All Saints Session Video
All Saints Sessions at the British Schools Museum
