...and now for the news

for multiple percussion and tape

Composer: Graeme Leak
Year: 1984
Duration: 8 minutes

Graeme Leak is one of Australia's most original and creative musicians, active as a composer, performer, and performance artist. ...and now for the news is score for multiple percussion setup and tape. The tape part consists of a constant pulsed drone and voice. Leak took the recited vocal parts from a broadcast of a Vietnamese radio program. He then roughly transcribed the speech rhythms and, together with improvisatory elements, interwove them into the form of the piece. Due to its tight form (set tape length), but rather open improvisatory parameters (no set instruments, rhythms, or mallets), ...and now for the news has become a cult classic of the contemporary percussionist's repertoire. Vanessa Tomlinson, of Clocked Out Duo, has a remarkable recording on the album Every Night the Same Dream.

Because of its freeness, I strongly recommend this piece to any percussionist, young or old, looking to develop some improvisation chops. This is a piece that will remain in your repertoire for years to come, allowing it to develop as you develop as a musician.