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Drum kit and percussion stands in the studio
Minoru Miki · 1983

Marimba Spiritual

excerpt

The legendary Marimba Spiritual (1983) by Japanese composer Minoru Miki (1930–2011), written for solo marimba and three percussionists, is one of the most played pieces in the percussion repertoire. The duo was first inspired by Safri Duo’s version, which reduces the three accompanying parts to one. In the end they chose a much harder path: the original version, played by a single percussionist assisted by the marimba player — three complete parts at once. The original scoring becomes a dialogue between two entirely equal partners.

František Emmert · 2012

Inno Chana

dress rehearsal for the premiere, with the composer — dedicated to the duo

One of the pieces commissioned by the duo is the chamber oratorio Inno Chana (2012) by František Gregor Emmert (b. 1940), inspired by the Old Testament (Book of Samuel). Its seven movements centre on the marimba, and the work calls for up to 21 different percussion instruments.

Pavel Blatný · 2010

Uno pezzo per due

excerpt — dedicated to the duo

Pavel Blatný (1931–2021) was the leading Czech representative of Third Stream music; in the 1960s he ranked at the top of Downbeat magazine polls, and in 1969 he won the second award of the European Jazz Federation. Uno pezzo per due (2010) gives the jazz drumset a prominent role, using serial rows and improvisation — hallmarks of the Third Stream — as compositional elements.

CD LET — OK Percussion Duo

03 — Debut album

LET

The programme of this debut CD is built on contemporary works, the focus of the duo from its very beginning. Close cooperation with composers gives the duo a chance to influence how the pieces take shape, making them almost “custom‑tailored”. The album documents this with a number of Czech compositions written for and dedicated to the ensemble. It also includes two pieces from the international repertoire: the first is rarely staged due to its complexity; the second is one of the most performed worldwide — played here in the duo’s own version.

“LET by the OK Percussion Duo of Martin Opršál and Martin Kleibl is an excellent CD. The performances are expressive and engaging. Congratulations on a fine recording!”

Prof. Mark Ford, marimba virtuoso — University of North Texas
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Martin Opršálmartin.oprsal@gmail.com
Martin Kleiblmartin.kleibl@gmail.com