This article discusses a project led by Frédéric Macarez that reimagines Jacques Delécluse’s Douze Études pour Caisse Claire, transforming them from pedagogical exercises into concert works. This initiative aims to honor Delécluse’s musical legacy while showcasing the artistic potential of these études. The project features live performances at PASIC, with new arrangements that incorporate percussion accompaniments composed by Franck Dentresangle, enriching the original material. The effort emphasizes blending technical mastery with artistic expression, reflecting the evolving nature of percussion as an art form and inspiring new perspectives on these iconic études.

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This November, PASIC50 will host a session that promises to be both a tribute to tradition and a bold step forward in the world of percussion. Titled Frederic Macarez and Friends, this session will feature a groundbreaking reinterpretation of Jacques Delécluse’s iconic Douze Études pour Caisse Claire. Accompanied by three of my esteemed French colleagues and friends, we will present these celebrated études in a completely new light, transforming them from technical exercises into full-fledged concert works with the addition of percussion accompaniments composed by Franck Dentresangle.

For decades, Delécluse’s Douze Études pour Caisse Claire have been a cornerstone of percussion pedagogy, revered for their technical rigor and educational value. Yet, beneath their surface lies a profound musicality that has often been overshadowed by their reputation as practice-room staples. With this project, we aim to elevate these études to the concert stage, showcasing their intrinsic artistry and honoring the genius of Jacques Delécluse.

THE LEGACY OF  JACQUES DELÉCLUSE
To understand the significance of this project, one must first appreciate the man behind the études. Jacques Delécluse was not only a master percussionist but also a musician of extraordinary breadth and depth. Born into a musical family — his father a renowned clarinetist — Delécluse began his career as a virtuoso pianist before transitioning to percussion. His early professional experiences were as diverse as they were formative: timpanist for the Paris Opera and the Société des Concerts du Conservatoire, chamber musician with Pierre Boulez’s Domaine Musical, and a pianist in chamber music ensembles. This eclectic background gave Delécluse a unique perspective on music, one that seamlessly blended technical precision with artistic expression.

It is this rich musical heritage that permeates the Douze Études pour Caisse Claire. Each étude, while ostensibly a technical exercise, carries subtle references to the vast repertoire Delécluse knew so intimately. From operatic drama to symphonic grandeur, from chamber music delicacy to avant-garde innovation, these études are imbued with a musicality that transcends their pedagogical purpose.

A NEW VISION FOR THE ÉTUDES
The idea for this project was born out of a desire to explore the full artistic potential of Delécluse’s études. What if these works, long confined to the practice room, could be reimagined as concert pieces? What if their inherent musicality could be brought to the forefront, allowing audiences to experience them not as exercises but as dynamic, engaging performances?

To bring this vision to life, I turned to Franck Dentresangle, a composer and percussionist whose creativity and sensitivity made him the ideal collaborator. Dentresangle has crafted accompaniments for three percussionists that complement and enhance the original snare drum parts, transforming the études into multi-dimensional works of art. These accompaniments do not merely add texture or color; they engage in a dialogue with the snare drum, amplifying its expressive potential and highlighting the musical ideas embedded in Delécluse’s writing.

The result is a series of pieces that retain the technical challenges of the original études while elevating them to a new level of artistic expression. By presenting these works in a concert setting, we hope to shift the perception of Delécluse’s études from technical exercises to masterpieces worthy of the best stages.

FRéDéRIC MACAREZ AND FRIENDS
An exceptional ensemble of world-class percussionists, Frederic Macarez and Friends brings together four masters of their craft, all teachers at the Paris Conservatory–CRR, for the highly anticipated PASIC50.

The group is led by Frédéric Macarez, a former student of Jacques Delécluse, who served as the Principal Timpanist of the Orchestre de Paris (beside Delécluse) and is the Director of Percussion Studies at the Paris Conservatory-CRR. Macarez, who shared a close professional and personal relationship with Delécluse for over 40 years, is joined by three of his own accomplished students:

Franck Dentresangle, a jazz vibraphone virtuoso and composer specializing in Brazilian and jazz music, merges his diverse musical expertise with his teaching roles in Paris.

Vitier Vivas, originally from Caracas, Venezuela, brings a wealth of experience from his international orchestral career, which includes collaborations with some of the world’s most renowned conductors.

Frédéric Gauthier, a marimba player and member of the France Air Force Orchestra, combines his performance career with teaching at the Rosny-sous-Bois Conservatory.

Together, this ensemble represents a unique blend of technical mastery, artistic vision, and pedagogical excellence, making their PASIC performance a must-see event.

HONORING THE PAST, INSPIRING THE FUTURE
This project is not just about reinterpreting Delécluse’s work; it is also about celebrating his enduring legacy. For generations of percussionists, the Douze Études pour Caisse Claire have been a rite of passage, a benchmark of technical and musical development. By reimagining these études as concert pieces, we aim to honor Delécluse’s genius while ensuring that his work continues to inspire future generations.

At the same time, this project is a testament to the evolving nature of percussion as an art form. It reflects a broader trend in the percussion community: the blurring of lines between pedagogy and performance, between technical mastery and artistic expression. In this sense, Frederic Macarez and Friends is not just a tribute to Delécluse but also a celebration of the creativity and innovation that define our field.

WHAT TO EXPECT AT PASIC
Our PASIC session will feature live performances of several études from the Douze Études pour Caisse Claire in their new arrangements. Each performance will be accompanied by insights into the creative process behind the project, including the challenges and opportunities of adapting Delécluse’s work for a chamber ensemble. We will also explore the musical references and inspirations that shaped Delécluse’s writing, offering a deeper understanding of these études and their place in the percussion repertoire.

For those unable to attend PASIC, this article serves as both an introduction to the project and an invitation to reexamine Delécluse’s études in your own practice and performance. Whether you are a student, educator, or performer, we hope this new vision of the Douze Études pour Caisse Claire will inspire you to approach these works with fresh eyes and ears.