J.S.

Bach
Two-Part Three-Pack
three Bach inventions for mallet duo

arranged by Brian Slawson

Two-Part Three-Pack. By J.S. Bach, arranged by Brian Slawson

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 Performance Notes
HISTORY

J.S. Bach’s Two-Part Inventions is a collection of fifteen short keyboard works originally written as technical
exercises for his students. They are contrapuntal pieces, (in this case) two voices of equal value but independent
in contour and rhythm, unlike “vertical” pieces that employ melody, harmony, bass, etc. Brought forth in the
Renaissance and culminating in the Baroque period, the contrapuntal style of writing served as a catalyst for
rounds, canons, and ultimately fugues, of which Bach was an absolute master.

ENSEMBLE

Mallet instruments are wonderfully suited for the keyboard music of Bach. These duets are ideally played on two
marimbas. The treble clef part is playable on a small (4 octave) marimba. If necessary, this part may be played
on vibraphone with little or no pedaling. The bass part requires a 4 1/3 octave marimba (low A). Medium to hard
mallets should be utilized for a clear, articulate tone.

I’ve included some basic dynamic markings merely as a guide, intended to help shape Bach’s ideas to best suit
keyboard percussion. I recommend strict adherence to tempo in order to maximize the rhythmic vitality inherently
found in this music. Carefully maintaining a sense of the specific meter, as opposed to simply acknowledging
relationships between eighth and sixteenth notes, will make for a more invigorating performance. Remember,
because there are many notes, it does not necessarily mean they must be played fast. It may also be effective to
maintain “loose hands,” playing slight crescendi and decrescendi, depending on the shape of the line. Coordinating
such an approach between both players will enable the music to “breathe” and help connect the phrases. These
particular inventions can also be performed in succession (as three “movements”) in the order of 13, 4 and 8 to
great effect.

- Brian Slawson

About Brian Slawson

Since his scholarship studies at The Juilliard School, Brian Slawson has continued to pioneer innovative paths
in percussion. Grammy-nominated as ‘Best New Classical Artist,’ Brian has appeared on NBC’s Tonight Show,
Entertainment Tonight, The CBS Morning News and NPR’s “All Things Considered.” Mr. Slawson has an extensive
discography, including solo releases on the Sony/CBS and Belltone labels. His smash debut, Bach On Wood hit
Billboard’s Top 10 and remains one of the world’s premier vehicles for exposing new audiences to classical music.

Brian has shared the stage with classical luminaries Leonard Bernstein and Aaron Copland, recorded with pop icons
from Stevie Ray Vaughan to Marie Osmond and punctuated jokes for comedians Bill Maher, Eddie Murphy, and Jerry
Seinfeld. He is the voice of “Gusto the Bulldog” in Warner Bros. Music Expressions and a featured artist in McGraw-
Hill’s Spotlight on Music. In addition to serving as Principal Timpanist of the Brevard Symphony Orchestra, Brian’s
multi-media company, Slawsongs, has created award-winning custom music for feature films, television and radio.

Mr. Slawson proudly endorses Ludwig-Musser, Zildjian, Vic Firth, Remo, Grover Pro Percussion, Rhythm Tech,
Alternate Mode and Sibelius. His teachers have included Saul Goodman, Buster Bailey, Alexander Lepak, David
Smith and Drew Grouse.

Legendary vibraphonist, Lionel Hampton, described Brian Slawson as “one of the finest percussionists to come
along in many years.” Modern Drummer magazine calls Brian “a visionary, be it performer, producer or composer.”

Tapspace Order #118891. 1 copy(s) purchased by Maxime Murat ([email protected]) on April 08, 2023. NOT FOR RESALE.
 Level: Medium

Two-Part Invention No. 13

Duration: 1’15”
J.S. Bach
for mallet duo arr. by Brian Slawson

Allegro tranquillo
L R
R R
Player 1

L
Player 2

3
R R R R
1

R R
R
2

6 R L R R R

R R R

9 R R RR R R R

12
R R
1

L
L L
2

© 2009 Tapspace Publications, LLC (ASCAP). Portland, OR. International copyright secured. All rights reserved.

Tapspace Order #118891. 1 copy(s) purchased by Maxime Murat ([email protected]) on April 08, 2023. NOT FOR RESALE.
 2 Two-Part Three-Pack - arr. Slawson
14 R R R

17
R L
1

R R
R

19
L
1

21
L

rit.
23 L L R R L L

cresc. (no roll)

cresc. (no roll)

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 Level: Medium
Duration: 1’00”
Two-Part Invention No. 4 J.S. Bach
for mallet duo arr. by Brian Slawson

Allegro = 154
L R R R R R R R R

Player 1

R R R R

Player 2

8 R R RR RR R R RR R R R

R R R R R R R R R
RR
2

16 R L

R R R R
L
R R
2

23
R R R R R R

R R R R R

© 2009 Tapspace Publications, LLC (ASCAP). Portland, OR. International copyright secured. All rights reserved.

Tapspace Order #118891. 1 copy(s) purchased by Maxime Murat ([email protected]) on April 08, 2023. NOT FOR RESALE.
 4 Two-Part Three-Pack - arr. Slawson

30
R R

37 L R R R R
R R R
1

R R R
L R R R R
L

44 R R
L L R
1

R R R R L

rit.
48 R R R
R

R R R R R

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 Level: Medium

Two-Part Invention No. 8

Duration: 0’55”
J.S. Bach
for mallet duo arr. by Brian Slawson

Allegro = 118 L
L R R
Player 1

L R
R

Player 2

5 L L L

L L L

9 L L L R R

L
L
R R
2

13 L L L

L
L
R R
2

© 2009 Tapspace Publications, LLC (ASCAP). Portland, OR. International copyright secured. All rights reserved.

Tapspace Order #118891. 1 copy(s) purchased by Maxime Murat ([email protected]) on April 08, 2023. NOT FOR RESALE.
 6 Two-Part Three-Pack - arr. Slawson

17 L R R R

L
L L
2

21 L

24
L L

R R L
2

28
L L L
1

L L
2

31 rit.
L L L
1

L
L R R

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Tapspace Order #118891. 1 copy(s) purchased by Maxime Murat ([email protected]) on April 08, 2023. NOT FOR RESALE.

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