Iggy Fenech speaks to percussionist Daniel Cauchi about the Regional Concert Series’ final appointment: Percussion Ensemble at the Citadel Cultural Centre in Victoria.

Seven months ago, Modern Music Days (MMD) set out to introduce audiences to 20th-century and contemporary music with their Regional Concert Series. It was an ambitious project but, five sold-out recitals later, it is safe to say that MMD, under the artistic direction of Ruben Zahra, has managed to rouse the curiosity of many.

The Percussion Ensemble. Photo: Stephen Buhagiar

Taking place within the five districts of Malta, MMD aimed for quality over quantity throughout, and pushed the envelope on more than one occasion. Indeed, whether it’s the multimedia piano recital featuring gesture control technology and video art, or the ritualistic performance of sea shells and ancient Celtic war horns at Mnajdra, the Regional Concert Series wowed throughout.

The grand finale of this concert series will take place at the Citadel Cultural Centre in Victoria on November 17. The event, titled Percussion Ensemble, and the programme will include a selection of up-beat and entertaining compositions for percussio trio. 

“This concert includes a wide range of percussion instruments: a marimba, a vibraphone, a drum kit, cymbals, gongs, wood blocks and many other varieties of drums,” explains Daniel Cauchi, the principal percussionist with the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra who will be performing the programme together with Luke Baldacchino and Michael Camilleri.

This vibrant programme includes two movements from Trio per Uno by Nebojsa Zivkovic, Drum-E Piece No.1 by Ian McClafin and Surprise! by Pulse Percussion Trio. These three compositions are scored for percussion trio, portraying vituoso technique with intricate ryhtmic combinations.

Each percussionist will present a solo piece: Legerdemain by  Ivan Trevino; Blade by Benjamin Finley; and a 20th-century classic – Rebonds B by Iannis Xenakis.

The programme also includes a duo by Gene Koshinski entiled Echo Song with one of the percussionists playing off-stage ‘echoing’ and responing to the rhythms of the main performer on stage.

“There is a lot of new music out there that is accessible to all audiences,” Daniel says. “Accessibility is at the heart of MMD and each concert is crafted to connect with the public in an entertaining fashion. Furthermore, the outreach dimension of MMD takes the concert out of the concert hall to historical venues all across Malta, combining heritage and architecture with cutting-edge music repertoire.”

Modern Music Days is organised by the Manoel Theatre, the Malta Association for Contemporary Music and the Valletta 2018 Foundation as part of the culture programme of Valletta 2018 European Capital of Culture. For more information, log on to www.modernmusicdays.eu. Tickets are free and can be booked at www.teatrumanoel.com.mt