Critical reception of the 2006 album Musica per Due by Sole Nero (pianist Jessica Johnson and percussionist Anthony Di Sanza) highlights the duo's commitment to expanding the repertoire for their unique instrumental combination through high-level commissioning.
Review Highlights
Technical Precision: Reviews in publications like Percussive Notes have praised the duo's ability to navigate complex, varied palettes.
Diverse Palette: Critics note that each composition on the album is unique, ranging from spiraling, organic structures to intense, rhythmic energy.
Engagement with New Music: The album is seen as a successful result of their extensive commissioning project, bringing together distinct compositional voices into a cohesive listening experience.
Key Track Breakdown
Reviews often focus on the specific character of the commissioned works included:
Coil (Evan Hause): Described as an engaging, 13-minute work that "spirals and grows like a life force," building to a dramatic double cadenza.
Musica per Due (Joseph Koykkar): Highlighted as a two-movement work featuring a "brief meditative interlude".
Crunch (Joel Naumann): Noted for its "dissonant edge" and "bite," living up to its title.
Lead/Platinum (Dave Hollinden): Reviewed as a study in contrasts; Lead is praised for its non-rhythmic atmospheric focus, while Platinum is noted for its "burst of restless rhythmic energy".
Toniyh DiSanza - World Percussion Ensemble Director / Faculty Performer | Madison, WI
The summer of 2025 marks Anthony Di Sanza’s 11th year with Birch Creek. Di Sanza is Professor of Percussion at the University of Wisconsin – Madison where he is recognized as a Vilas Distinguished Achievement Professor. He has performed and presented master classes throughout North America, Europe and Asia and has appeared as a visiting artist at over 50 universities and conservatories.
Di Sanza can be heard on over 25 internationally distributed audio and video recordings, including Union Duo, Don’t Look Down, Ensemble Duniya, Keiko Abe and the Michigan Chamber Players and Galaxy Percussion. Reviewing his solo CD release, On the nature of…, All Music Guide writes; “Di Sanza dazzles not only in the assurance and polish of his playing but in his tremendous vitality and spontaneity.”
Di Sanza’s percussion compositions have been performed internationally and he has works published by Tapspace, Alfred and HoneyRock. He has a signature line of marimba mallets distributed by Encore Mallets and Black Swamp Percussion produces the Di Sanza Triangle Trigger. Di Sanza is an endorser of Encore, Black Swamp, Marimba One, Sabian and Remo, and Pro-Mark. At Birch Creek, he is a faculty performing artist and teaches a variety of world percussion styles and directs small and large ensembles.
Critical reception of the 2006 album Musica per Due by Sole Nero (pianist Jessica Johnson and percussionist Anthony Di Sanza) highlights the duo's commitment to expanding the repertoire for their unique instrumental combination through high-level commissioning.
Review Highlights
Technical Precision: Reviews in publications like Percussive Notes have praised the duo's ability to navigate complex, varied palettes.
Diverse Palette: Critics note that each composition on the album is unique, ranging from spiraling, organic structures to intense, rhythmic energy.
Engagement with New Music: The album is seen as a successful result of their extensive commissioning project, bringing together distinct compositional voices into a cohesive listening experience.
Key Track Breakdown
Reviews often focus on the specific character of the commissioned works included:
Coil (Evan Hause): Described as an engaging, 13-minute work that "spirals and grows like a life force," building to a dramatic double cadenza.
Musica per Due (Joseph Koykkar): Highlighted as a two-movement work featuring a "brief meditative interlude".
Crunch (Joel Naumann): Noted for its "dissonant edge" and "bite," living up to its title.
Lead/Platinum (Dave Hollinden): Reviewed as a study in contrasts; Lead is praised for its non-rhythmic atmospheric focus, while Platinum is noted for its "burst of restless rhythmic energy".
Toniyh DiSanza - World Percussion Ensemble Director / Faculty Performer | Madison, WI
The summer of 2025 marks Anthony Di Sanza’s 11th year with Birch Creek. Di Sanza is Professor of Percussion at the University of Wisconsin – Madison where he is recognized as a Vilas Distinguished Achievement Professor. He has performed and presented master classes throughout North America, Europe and Asia and has appeared as a visiting artist at over 50 universities and conservatories.
Di Sanza can be heard on over 25 internationally distributed audio and video recordings, including Union Duo, Don’t Look Down, Ensemble Duniya, Keiko Abe and the Michigan Chamber Players and Galaxy Percussion. Reviewing his solo CD release, On the nature of…, All Music Guide writes; “Di Sanza dazzles not only in the assurance and polish of his playing but in his tremendous vitality and spontaneity.”
Di Sanza’s percussion compositions have been performed internationally and he has works published by Tapspace, Alfred and HoneyRock. He has a signature line of marimba mallets distributed by Encore Mallets and Black Swamp Percussion produces the Di Sanza Triangle Trigger. Di Sanza is an endorser of Encore, Black Swamp, Marimba One, Sabian and Remo, and Pro-Mark. At Birch Creek, he is a faculty performing artist and teaches a variety of world percussion styles and directs small and large ensembles.
