By Kristen Shiner McGuire. Three expressive movements that highlight each performer's individual ability as well as demanding close cooperation between players. A brilliant selection for either performer's recital. ca 9' 45"
Print size: 11 x 17
Review from Percussive Notes:
Kristen Shiner McGuire has given us a worthy addition to the marimba chamber literature with this piece for bass clarinet and marimba. The combination of these two instruments may seem odd, but actually the woody sound of the bass clarinet works beautifully with the sound of the marimba, especially in the marimba’s lower register, which is exploited to a large extent in this work.
The first “piece” or movement is “A Fine Weave,” and the musical vocabulary is atonal but not at all harsh or overly dissonant. After a rubato beginning, the piece takes off at quarter note = 132–138, with much interaction between the two instruments. Hocket technique is used effectively here along with ostinatos in the marimba played under arhythmic melodies in the bass clarinet.
“Gotta Gig(ue)” is full of mixed and odd meters, and is very lively. Again, both hocket and ostinato are used here. This moves to a lovely, lyrical, slow interlude that then moves to a restatement of some of the original material. The piece ends much as it begins, with a very rhythmic conclusion. The final piece, “Epilogue,” is more reflective and more tonal in its vocabulary. Here the timbres of the two instruments blend nicely and create a rich ambience.
The marimba part can be played on a 4.3-octave instrument and requires some 4-mallet technique. There is much musical depth here, and this would be an excellent piece for a senior recital or any concert setting.
—Tom Morgan
Demo:
