Liam Teague's "impressions" and the art form of solo steel pan

Abstract

The art form of solo steel pan is still in its early stages of development since its general birth in the 1940s. Its development has traditionally consisted primarily of performing Western Classical adaptations, traditional music styles of the Caribbean, and improvised solos. However, since the 1980s composers such as Liam Teague have begun composing and publishing original works for solo steel pan such as “Impressions”, that have helped to elevate the instrument beyond its commonly viewed identity as a novelty, and legitimize its profundity and versatility.

This project report examines Liam Teague, the art form of solo steel pan, and how his piece “Impressions” has contributed to furthering its continued development. It will look at some of the challenges facing the development of solo steel pan and will draw some parallels to the development of solo marimba repertoire. Numerous experts in the field of steel pan were interviewed for this research and it will include a discussion of what type of repertoire is needed to further the practice of solo steel pan. Several compositional elements and performance considerations of “Impressions” will also be examined.