On March 11, 2012 at Faith Lutheran Church my friend Jenny Klukken performed a wonderful marimba solo called “Zamba para escuchar tu silencio” by Guillo Espel. I first heard about this piece at the Zeltsman Marimba Festival in 2009 and then heard it performed by Angel Frette at the Marimba 2010 International Festival and Conference.
I emailed Guillo Espel directly and he provided the following program notes:
“Zamba” is a traditional Argentine folk rhythm. For that reason, the title begins by giving an idea of the style of the piece, at least for the ones who are acquainted with traditional Argentine music. As to “para escuchar tu silencio,” we can translate like “to hear your silence”. The “Zamba” is an Argentine rhythm which is very popular & important in Argentina folk music. Rhythmically this song is unique as it is written in 6/8 instead of the normal 3/4 time and is usually accented on the last count of the measure than traditional simpler zamba music.Zamba music is often written in 6/8 and performed alternately in 3/4 and 6/8 time with the accents varying between measures. Traditionally zamba music has no relationship with chamber music. This piece is unique in that I bring my own connection to chamber music into a more traditional folk style by mixing the two styles. By shifting the traditional development of chords and the expanding the melody and by using the silence in the piece I am able to mix these two styles of music and expand upon a traditionalist zamba. By the way, the criterion of structuring the “musical silence” within each piece is one of my permanent concerns.
With Guillo Espel’s permission I was able to record and post Jenny’s performance below. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!
Guillo’s quartet also recorded a version of this which is also a great arrangement.
To learn more about Guillo Espel you can visit his website. Thanks to Guillo for this fantastic piece which I hope will be played more frequently throughout the entire world.
Hi Jeff
Sincereley, I want to thxs you and Jenny because all about you did (or continue doing) over my piece “zamba para escuchar tu silencio”. Fortunately, This it’s been permanentely played in many countries and by different artists but i have to say that, reallyh the version I’ve just listened by Jenny at Faith Lutheran Church in Minneapolis March 11, 2012 is awesome!
I enjoy too much listen it again and surely I’ve share the link in my facebook or website, ’cause i want to show it to my friends and many musician that, i know, will be very interested in her version.
Again all the best for you and Jenny.
I’m very glad.
Hearing from both of you soon, i hope!
Guillo Espel
PS: Forgive my english! Isn’t my native lenguage!
I am curious about where to purchase sheet music for this piece. Do you know how Jenny was able to get the music?
I am working with the composer to get this piece restocked at Steve Weiss Music here in the US. Please contact me directly at marimba [at] jeffsass.com and I can try and get it for you.
-Jeff
Hey Jeff, I was wondering if you could help me find the music to Zamba para Escuchar Tu Silencio. I’ve really enjoyed listening to it and would like to perform it.
Thanks,
Jeremy
I will contact you directly to get the music to you. For anyone else email me at “marimba [at] jeffsass.com” and I will get it to you. Thanks for reading!
Hey, I know this is about a year old and I emailed Jeff, but has anyone ever gotten the music?
Hi Claire,
Thanks for contacting me directly. If anyone else is looking for the music send me an email and I can get it to you.
-Jeff
Hi .. I was wondering how I can get the sheet music of the work “Zamba for escuchar tu silencio”
greetings
Alvaro
Hi Alvaro,
Please email me at marimba (at) jeffsass.com and I will be happy to put you in touch with the composer!
-Jeff
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Hello. I was wondering if you can help me get the sheet music of the work “Zamba para escuchar tu silencio” or maybe you can tell where I can find it. I really would like this song to be one I play on my next concert.
Regards,
Yareni B.
Hi Yareni,
I sent you a direct email about the music! Enjoy it and let me know if you do perform it!
-Jeff
Hi .. I was wondering how I can get the digita lsheet music of the work “Zamba for escuchar tu silencio”
Regards
chenghng gu
I sent you a direct email today about the music! Thanks for commenting! -Jeff