Akropolis Web Premiere - Splinter by Marc Mellits

It's the 11th installment in Akropolis' Web Premiere Series!
Composed in 2014 and Marc Mellits' first reed quintet work, Splinter is comprised of 8 miniature movements listed in the video. Akropolis will perform Splinter throughout its 16/17 season, and invites you to check out the composer at marcmellits.com.
Please leave a comment below and let us know what you think about this groovy and beautiful new music.
Audio recorded by Rod Evenson at Kaul Auditorium at Reed College in Portland, OR. All camera work, and audio and video editing done by yours truly.

[@KeithOtisEdwards]

Marc Mellits is on my top-ten list of composers. I consider it important to keep track on who, exactly, is writing genuine music which we can all enjoy, as opposed to the frauds who are writing anti-music - usually the Juilliard Mafia who have the imprimatur of Don Corigliano. A polished performance, superb intonation, and a pleasure to listen to.

[@jesselangdon3731]

I'm on a quest to compile all of the performances of Marc Mellits work on KZbin... I just can't get enough! Another superb piece and performance by fine musicians!

[@clintonfiske4prez]

Marc Mellits writes some of the best bass clarinet lines out there

[@Dropboy80]

Can't get enough of you folks. Thanks for changing the game.

[@tylerkashow8858]

I saw Splinter Reeds perform this, they were the group this was written for. It is so amazing!

[@selynkimxx]

so good. it's like watching a well-made fantasy film with my ears

[@dudebro3383]

god i LOVE the beginning of red pine. i love low reed instruments. bari sax right here. low reeds unite

[@joshmills5219]

Bravo. A compulsively listenable work played so well. The virtuosity of each player in service to the throbbing sonorities and rhythms is a real groundbreaking thing. 21st century wind chamber music has so much potential!

[@rykenwells5049]

HEY GUYS YOU WENT TO MY MIDDLE SCHOOL TO PLAY THANK YOU FOR DOING THAT YOU WERE THE MOST AMAZING PEOPLE I HAVE EVER HEARD

[@darthgamer6080]

That mean, reedy, and dark sound of the Bass Clarinet throughout the movements and at 9:34 is like sex to my ears

[@TheBryceholden]

“Sex to my ears” was not something I would of expected to hear today

[@barbarasteinfeld8833]

Was introduced to this piece yesterday at the Body Vox performance. You played it so beautifully. Thank you.

[@analladosalas7985]

I've never heard something like this before... It sounds really good! Congratulations to Marc Mellits and Akropolis Reed Quintet. I love it!

[@jabrown1978]

I heard this a couple of nights ago on NPR and caught it with only a few minutes left of the performance, but within a few seconds, I knew I loved it. I tried to Shazaam it to find out what it was since I was late getting to where I was going, but that didn't work, so luckily I was able to find out what it was by looking at the program notes for that evening's "Performance Today" broadcast on NPR's website. I've listened to the piece about 6-7 times since. I just love it. It's exactly the kind of contemporary piece that hits a sweet spot for me and makes me smile; evocative, accessible, muscular, but also tender, and just lots of fun. And I'm ashamed to admit, this is the first time I've heard or knew of a reed quintet, that I can recall (I stopped playing years ago), but it was marvelously performed. I know the composer must've been thrilled. A new fan of you guys here, and of the composer.

[@Akropolis5tet]

Wow! We're so glad you caught our live performance on Performance Today and found us online here! Splinter is a fantastic piece for reed quintet and it's one of our absolute favorites to perform. We hope you enjoy exploring the rest of our videos and CDs and please keep in touch!

[@yeahmygucci]

I. Scarlet Oak 0:05 II. Sugar Maple 2:03 III. Linden 3:39 IV. Black Ash 7:07 V. Cherry 8:49 VI. River Birch 10:37 VII. Weeping Willow 12:40 VIII. Red Pine 14:17

[@sandomen123]

Thank you kept having to rewind it to cath their names

[@AndrewBarsky]

Finally! A saxophone is welcome to the party! Great work guys!

[@izzicristini]

They came To my middle school and played this and dang

[@gailferris3538]

A work of such joy and transfiguration

[@richardjchandler]

Composer Marc Mellits' "Splinter" is beautifully performed by the Akropolis Reed Quintet. Movement III, Linden, has gorgeous sonorities. An outstanding composition and performance!

[@leadingmusicians]

Love how soundly this piece has been constructed. Hats off for the Acropolis Reed Quintet for such a marvelous performance!

[@butimar68]

I could feel swaying of Willow branches, lovely. Wish it was longer.

[@alanburnham9832]

Sure glad I found this!

[@Akropolis5tet]

Thanks Alan! Glad you're enjoying the music!

[@vectorcloud9927]

These guys came to our school and it was the greatest experience ever.

[@dianecoltrain2740]

Had the opportunity to see these folks live in Lewes Delaware a number of years ago as part of the Coastal concerts series.This was my favorite of their pieces. Fabulous!

[@ShaggyPatches]

Such beautiful miniatures!!! Congrats to Marc and Akropolis for a fantastic recording. Wonderful playing from fellow Wolverines! GO BLUE!!!

[@akropolisquintet8252]

Thanks so much!

[@witchlightsands]

I saw them preform this live it was awesome!! my favorite is maple sugar

[@elissa_flute1511]

We made this into an ensemble score for sax choir at Stetson this summer it was so incredibly fun to play with the need for rythym accountability and proper ensemble balance.

[@DrCarolLowe]

@Elissa_flute Great idea but did you ask Marc Mellits for permission?

[@elissa_flute1511]

@@DrCarolLowe Oh yes They purchased the music and rights to perform it !!!

[@brent3613]

Splinter Reeds came to our college and performed this. It was amazing

[@Starclimber]

Thanks, Akropolis, loved every second of this.

[@hmm2084]

Hey thanks for coming to North Medford High in Oregon back in late 2016, you guys sounded amazing.

[@joanmartinuzzi9858]

Love the music, the blend of instrumental sounds, the performance as a whole. I will check out more of your recordings. thank you for the beautiful music.

[@barbarashapiro4913]

Beautiful, haunting, special music!

[@Novemben]

Amazing! And what a wonderful combination of instruments! 👍

[@fidshimmer]

Beautiful and awe inspiring, Wood Winds rule, such lovely sonortity and subtle textures, this performance rocks!!!

[@dileepgangolli8856]

Wonderful music and wonderful performance! Thanks for posting.

[@ELI-je3us]

I love how Movement II is reminiscent of Black, also by Mellits.

[@sauriobanda5178]

beautiful sound and great performance!

[@carbonc6065]

Love this version!

[@tomlettman]

This ensemble should help new composers get a wider audience if there is any justice in the classical music world. They are awesome !!

[@rloomis3]

Heard you guys earlier this week; it was every bit as good live. Looking forward to checking out the CD. Hope to have the chance to see you again soon. Wishing you continued success! (Reed College -- how appropriate! ;-) )

[@jarradpoland7060]

True

[@hoyerd]

fantastic piece, fantastic performers. this is truly inspiring music.

[@katiepowell7889]

This is AWESOME

[@yokattarecords]

Great piece!

[@vicstrecher1177]

You guys make beautiful music! I love Splinter!

[@Akropolis5tet]

Thanks so much Vic!

[@Calrissian94]

You are awesome!

[@RichardTolbert]

I like the Reed Quintet concept. As a saxophonist, I've always been annoyed at the absence of a seat at a "woodwind" quintet. What's up w/ dat? No offense French horn players...

[@alasdeangel3929]

I agree, the French Horn isn't even a wind instrument. Its brass! Give that seat to the alto sax!

[@miblish5168]

It also has a darker, bassier sound, which contemporary audiences are probably more comfortable with. Flute is replaced with bass clarinet.

[@Sirvalorsax]

I'd keep the flute and lose the oboe@@miblish5168

[@Android_Warrior]

@@Sirvalorsax : I'll keep the Oboe and lose the flute.

[@richardthomashill]

Reed required

[@kurikokaleidoscope]

❤⚘❤⚘❤⚘❤⚘❤ Merry Christmas to you

[@teacherontap]

Beautiful Mark!!

[@teacherontap]

Um...Marc...sorry

[@sigurdbjrnson1744]

Sublime

[@JoeMG14]

Looking forward to playing the clarinet quintet arrangement soon. Although I’m not sure it’ll have the same harmonic colour as this ensemble.

[@maxwellkowal3065]

The reed quintet needs to be a standard ensemble like string quartets, wind quintets, and brass quintets

[@eliaskwola]

I love what you guys do! I want to write something for this genre, it's amazing.

[@jarradpoland7060]

Gg

[@nathanielzeisler]

MOVEMENT II !!!!!!

[@mopippenger7373]

I 00:05 - Scarlet Oak II 02:03 - Sugar Maple III 3:40 - Linden IV 7:07 - Black Ash V 8:48 - Cherry VI 10:37 - River Birch VII 12:40 - Weeping Willow VIII 14:17 - Red Pine

[@gr1mreaper]

Good job

[@grantkoeller8911]

Bravo!!! A Reed ensemble should have an alto sax!!!

[@jorgeelias4316]

Bellisimo!!!!!!

[@Akropolis5tet]

Thanks so much!

[@enrisalazar9485]

En México hay un extraordinario cuarteto de viento, llamado ANACRUSAX. Muy recomendable. Ha dado muchos conciertos en todo el mundo.

[@afcsport]

Where can I purchase this music?! Its Sublime and beautiful. Rich sounds and sonic magic.

[@Akropolis5tet]

Hi Armand - You can purchase the sheet music on Marc's website here: www.marcmellits.com/ We hope you enjoy playing the piece, too!

[@luismaya3105]

Awesome players! Cograts from Zacatecas Mexico, How can i to get this music?

[@terralexj9468]

Red Pine reminds me of Tachycardia (another Mellits piece), especially at 14:50

[@playandteach]

Good stuff. You guys should commission a piece by Graham Fitkin. He wrote us a sax quartet piece many moons ago - called STUB. I love his stuff. You might need to search for a good version.

[@playandteach]

Here's a piece I wrote for 5 'free reed' instruments - melodeons in this recording, but written more as an ex clarinet player. soundcloud.com/playandteach/melodeon-minimalism-all-saltarelle-2v you'd be welcome to it if you wanted to play it.

[@henryford8433]

Do you ever come to the UK.?

[@gnattie2924]

Asdsafdvfa they came to my highschool today and played some of this!!!!

[@emilycarl9179]

Me and my group are playing movements 2, 6, and 8, for solo ensemble but my current bass clarinet cannot reach below the E♭ in all three of those movements due to lack of keys. I am trying to see if I can rent a professional bass clarinet with the keys to be able to play lower but so far can't find anything. Is there anything you know that may help me in finding what I need?

[@kylekato5528]

Emily Carl where did you get the music for this? thank you

[@doctorsequoia]

Wonderful music and playing! The second sounds like Jean Francaix (The Flower Clock) meets Steve Reich! Hope you folks make it out to the San Francisco Bay Area. You might try contacting San Francisco Performances (www.performances.org). Cheers!

[@Akropolis5tet]

Thank you Arthur! Indeed Marc is very much influenced by Mr. Reich. Thanks for the tip - we'll make sure we check out the series you recommend. We've been to the Northwest a couple times and toured California twice, but haven't gotten to San Francisco yet!

[@doc7orwho138]

10:36

[@fstover5208]

Akropolis is a fine group. Am divided on 'Splinters' however.

[@ericp4169]

Sounds like music for math majors -- completely devoid of any soul. It does look challenging to play though.

[@ryanreynoldsbassoon]

Thanks for listening!