Buyan by John Psathas

Byuan is a rewarding workout, testing the timpanist’s proficiency in various techniques. Across its six minutes, the player music navigate syncopated grooves in compound time, simmering roll and glissandi techniques, and playing with fingers. Most challenging of all, though, is the extensive pedalling required to articulate the melodic material. Buyan moves briskly, its timpani line often skipping across the surface of the accompanying backing track’s dark and cinematic electronica. Indeed, the backing track evokes the mystery, intrigue and exoticism of the fabled island that names the work, rising and falling the intensity like the tides that are do integral to the island’s magic. The variety of playing techniques in Buyan demonstrate the subtleties offered – yet often overlooked – by the timpani.