Gouach’ by Philippe Spiesser

Gouach’ by Philippe Spiesser is an exhilarating work for an eight-player percussion ensemble. This piece blends rhythmic power with a wide palette of instrumental textures, showcasing Spiesser’s inventive compositional style. With a performance duration of around 7 minutes, it presents both ensemble coordination challenges and creative opportunities for interpretation.

The instrumentation is diverse and colorful. Players use a 5-octave marimba, a 4-octave marimba, xylophone, vibraphone, crotales, two glockenspiels, five timpani, tam-tam, ride, splash, crash, and Chinese cymbals. Additional timbres come from bongos, bass drum, woodblock, cajón, kalimba, cabasa, castanets, triangle, rainstick, and three types of chimes: wood, metal, and glass. This setup allows performers to explore an array of timbral contrasts while delivering tightly woven rhythmic interplay.

Gouach’ encourages ensemble members to engage as a unified voice. Each part contributes equally, and the piece relies on strong rhythmic accuracy and group awareness. Spiesser structures the music in sections that evolve dynamically and timbrally, keeping both players and audience fully engaged.

Philippe Spiesser, a seasoned percussionist and educator, creates works that are both musically rich and pedagogically valuable. In Gouach’, he invites performers to experiment with texture, space, and ensemble interaction. The composition suits advanced university ensembles, conservatoire programs, and concert percussion groups seeking to highlight their cohesion and expressive range.

Because of its unique instrumentation and accessible length, the piece also fits well into mixed programs featuring contemporary or multicultural works. Its driving pulse and varied soundworld offer contrast when paired with more melodic or traditional repertoire.

• Instrumentation: Mixed percussion (8 players)
• Duration: Approx. 7 minutes
• Difficulty: Advanced
• Publisher: Alfonce Production
• Product Code: A21007PRJ

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Gouach’ by Philippe Spiesser offers a bold and rewarding challenge for percussionists. Its rich instrumentation, focused ensemble writing, and dramatic pacing make it a standout piece in any concert program.