Includes score; four scores needed for performance.
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Review from Percussive Notes (2021):
For Four
David Macbride
Published in 2019, “For Four” is a 16-minute composition for marimba quartet. It requires four 4.3-octave marimbas positioned in the shape of a square on stage. Throughout the work, players move from one marimba to the next, beginning the piece all on the same instrument but ending each on their own. Not for the faint of heart, “For Four” is ideal for graduate and professional marimba quartets as the cornerstone of a concert program.
The theatrical aspect of the piece is particularly noteworthy. All players and marimbas are assigned a number or letter, which indicates where they should be positioned. In some cases, players have less than a second to transition to the next instrument, giving the piece a powerful visual effect. However, this varied positioning makes it nearly impossible to perform the work without memorizing it. While most rhythmic figures are manageable by intermediate players, the piece is wrought with numerous meter changes, tempo changes, and interlocking passages. This makes it particularly challenging in an ensemble setting and may require extensive rehearsal time. It is also important to note that the work is only published as a 41-page bound score.
Overall, “For Four” appears to be a herculean undertaking for both performers and audiences. This piece may claim a very niche segment of the ever-growing canon for marimba quartets, but it presents a wide array of challenges for any ensemble.
—Danielle Moreau
