Feelings and Qualities on Skin by Bo Holmstrand

Here is another beautifully produced collection of advanced snare drum etudes published by Edition SVITZER. These etudes were designed to satisfy the needs of the students of composer Bo Holmstrand, one of Sweden’s foremost percussion specialists and teacher extraordinaire. The 10 etudes, expansive in nature, some four pages in length, are meant to be used not just as etudes to develop technique and musicianship but as colorful and exciting solo recital pieces as well.

Designing pieces for both study and performance is a challenging goal. Mr. Holmstrand has achieved this very thing. The etudes, each named for its particular character, i.e.: “Confidence…”, “Cheerful…”, “Authority….”, “Powerful…”, etc. give insight as to the musical nature of the material. Each etude is carefully crafted to present important rhythmical, technical and musical concepts including articulation, dynamics, rolls, polyrhythms and for me, most important: a musical line. I personally have always favored percussion music that features a long musical phrase.

In addition to all of that, some of the pieces use the most advanced forms of musical notation, including graphic notation. Other etudes incorporate a cadenza style: original, creative, complex and technically virtuosic.

These etudes will add another chapter to those books that insure a forward momentum for all percussionists. In short, these etudes will give snare drummers everywhere an important new landmark to achieve and conquer.