MARIMBA 2010 INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL AND CONFERENCE
Minnesota, MN, USA —Billed as a “once in a lifetime” event to celebrate the
marimba throughout the world, the Marimba 2010 International Festival and Conference
in Minnesota’s Twin Cities was a rousing success! In addition to the world-renowned percussion
artists in attendance, Majestic had several of its percussion and mallet instruments
on display for some of the best in the realm of marimba.
Many different events were available to those who attended, including off-site concerts
and a Majestic sponsored artist reception. This reception brought together more than
forty performing artists from different areas of the world. While the evening started
as scheduled with music from Team Islas and an explosive performance from Natsu/Kayo
on Majestic’s own M8650H Marimba, the event made a more improvisational turn with a jam
session breaking out among several artist using various percussion instruments.
Majestic artists Janus Percussion and newly signed Casey Cangelosi took part in the festivities,
and had lots of promising things to say about the conference. Janus performed in a featured
concert at the Landmark Center in downtown St. Paul.
"Our performance at the beautiful Landmark Center in St. Paul was a fantastic and
memorable experience for us,” said Janus artist Brian Duffy. “We performed several of
the great staples of the mallet duo repertoire and also premiered a new work by Alex
Orfaly for xylophone duo and ragtime style mallet ensemble.”
Janus Percussion, consisting of Duffy and Erik Barsness, created quite a stir, and Majestic
was happy to help. “Thanks to transportation provided by Majestic we had a standing room
only audience that was engaging and inquisitive about not only our performance but also
the fabulous Majestic instruments we performed on."
And that was just the beginning. Later in the festival Janus Percussion performed in
a concert featuring vibraphone and marimba duos. Duffy and Barsness performed Anders
Koppel's renowned "Toccata" for an appreciative audience at Ted Man Concert
Hall in Minneapolis. A second show at Ted Man saw Janus collaborating with Croatian marimba
artist Ivana Bilic as part of a concert featuring marimba concertos.
Janus played exclusively on Majestic percussion, and had wonderful things to say on the
new M8650H. “[It] has a powerful yet warm and sustaining low register that blends perfectly
with the balanced and pitch-right tones of the mid and upper registers to create an overall
tone quality that is not just appropriate, but enviable for any venue or artist.”
“When you add in the performer friendly bar dimensions, easy to use height adjustment
system, and several other truly innovative design features, you have an instrument that
we could not be more pleased with."
Cangelosi, Majestic’s newest Concert Percussion artist, gave Marimba 2010 an enthusiastic
thumbs-up.
“In a word, the 2010 Marimba Festival was fantastic. In every aspect too: the musicianship,
the organization, Fernando Meza and his students hosting us. The event was entirely comprehensive,
encompassing all styles and countries of marimba playing.”
The sheer number of artists at the conference was not lost on Cangelosi. “The performing
artist roster was very long; it would take less time for me just to tell who wasn't there.
I've never felt such a warm musical environment, everywhere I looked I found marimbists
excited at the sight of one-another. The sense of friendship and unity was splattered
in all directions and at every angle. “
Casey performed on multiple occasions, showcasing several of his own pieces on the M8650H,
including “Character No. 5”, “Prelude in F minor”, Etude in A minor No. 2”, “Walking
Left Handed” and the fan favorite “White Knuckle Stroll”.
The masterful percussionist Pedro Carneiro of Portugal -known also for his conducting
and composing -played for pleased crowds on the M8650H marimba. Carneiro had just arrived
from sold-out performances the previous week with the Portuguese Chamber Orchestra at
the Centro Cultural Belém in Lisbon, where he also performed on the M8650H. “The marimba
has a great tone and many nice, interesting features!” said Carneiro of this Majestic
flagship model.
KHS America Concert Percussion Manager Chris Hankes saw it as an honor to have such a
world-class performer play Majestic Percussion. “I know that he enjoyed performing on
our marimba and we are always happy to hear an artist of this caliber performing in such
great venues on our instruments,” said Hankes.
Carneiro’s appearance, sponsored by Majestic, was the culmination of work between the
percussionist and Hankes. “It has been a pleasure working with Mr. Carneiro and our international
team from KHS and Majestic Holland in recent months. I am very proud that we were able
to sponsor his appearance at Marimba 2010, and to support his performances in Portugal
as well.”
Concerts and events for Marimba 2010 were held in various venues throughout the Minneapolis/St.
Paul area, including the aforementioned Landmark Center, along with Orchestra Hall, Cathedral
of Saint Paul, SPCO Center and Weisman Art Museum.
The multiple locations and many different artists provided a unique atmosphere that was
truly a celebration of the marimba. Casey Cangelosi certainly put it into perspective.
“I feel so lucky to have performed alongside so many of my childhood heroes; it is simply
something I won't forget.”