review van het stuk Samba Por Carlos
In het gerenommeerde blad Percussive Notes van de PAS-organisatie in de States

Samba por Carlos
Frans Frijns and Henk Mennens
Dutch Music Partners

This percussion ensemble for 14 players begins more like a Cuban cha-cha, which then proceeds into a samba section. Following the initial Latin pop melody, “Samba por Carlos” introduces a percussion soli break and composed vibraphone solo. The work is really vibraphone feature with the percussion parts fulfilling primarily repetitive, timekeeping roles. The medium tempo and eighth-note syncopated rhythms make this suitable for a high school ensemble with an advanced mallet player. The score requires vibraphone, glockenspiel, xylophone, four-octave marimba, snare, timbales, congas, guiro, bass drum, rhythm guitar, solo guitar, keyboard, bass guitar and drumset. The piece could probably be performed with fewer players, as it is densely scored.
—Terry O’Mahoney
PERCUSSIVE NOTES 72 FEBRUARY 2005