Concerto for Marimba Quartet and Orchestra

• Main Author: Rowson, William
• Other Authors: Kulesha, Gary
• Language: en_ca
• Published: 2012
• Subjects: concerto; marimba; Quartet; Orchestra; 0413
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/1807/32876

My Concerto for Marimba Quartet and Orchestra is designed to be a showcase for marimba ensemble, within the context of a traditional orchestral concerto. It is comprised of three movements. The language of the concerto is at times pluralistic, and at other times homogeneous. The music plays with repetition, simplicity, variability and persistence. The three movements that comprise this concerto are each designed to capitalize on the unique sound of the marimbas in combination with other instruments. In the first movement a small three-note motive (carefully selected to be easy to play rapidly with mallets) is translated from the marimbas to the ensemble to create homogenous textures that develop harmonically using pattern and repetition. The second movement is an exploration of the elasticity of rhythm. It sets the marimbas against still chords in the orchestra. It also employs a heightened level of chromaticism in passages that contrast with diatonic chords that are built from the three- note motive of the first movement. The final movement is an exploration of ensemble virtuosity. Rhythms and harmonic material are passed throughout the soloists and orchestra. This movement is designed to play with repetition and the expectations of a rondo form. Material from the two previous movements is recapped at the end.