March Madness, for solo marimba, includes one score.
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Review from Percussive Notes:
“March Madness” is a short and very different 4-octave marimba solo written for Joey Van Hassel. As with most of David Macbride’s
works, the music is difficult to categorize, but it is certainly indicative of his style. This piece is a little over two minutes long, but it has a lot
of interpretive elements. The tempo is marked “negotiable,” and there are many pauses in the form of breath marks and fermatas with varying lengths. The score does not include a meter but is a set of continuous rhythmic cells or motives, alternating between loud and soft dynamics.
Successful performances will require a grasp of the basics of four-mallet playing and a strong sense of tempo. Overall, “March Madness” is a short but excellent piece for solo marimba. As I was listening, I was reminded of works by Richard Rodney Bennett and Jacob Druckman. While the score is very specific, it still leaves a lot of room for interpretation by the performer. This would be perfect for anyone who is looking for something short and contemporary.
—Joe Millea
