Dr. Michael Varner, Percussionist
Home Biography Repertoire Recent Appearances
Quotes Marimba literature presentation  Email Publications
Blending cultures and styles-a unique approach to marimba literature.

Dr. Michael Varner
University of Texas at Arlington
MVarner@UTA.edu
http://members.home.net/mvarner/acover.html

Excerpted from a presentation given at the Texas Music Educators State Convention, February, 2001


 
Multi-cultural and multi-stylistic approaches to programming lead to a variety of unique performance alternatives for marimba literature.  This lecture/recital will demonstrate the diverse variety of marimba repertoire currently available.

Recital chosen from the following works:

Africa

Ayers, Jesse.  African Fantasy on Joy to the World 
 Ohio:  Per-mus Publications, 1996.

Gomez, Alice.  Etude in D minor
San Antonio: Southern Music Company.

Gomez/Rife.  Mbira Song 
San Antonio: Southern Music Company.

Lobi, Kakraba.  Darkpey Song Collection
Kpar Kpo Naah (The oblong-headed One)
Bana Kaaba (Your proper thing is not my proper thing)
Kaang Kuon Kpar (The oil has spilled)
Mandara Music, 1999.
Transcribed and arranged for marimba by Valerie Dee Naranjo.

Lobi, Kakraba.  Ganda Yina
Mandara Music, 1999.
Transcribed and arranged for marimba by Valerie Dee Naranjo.

Lobi, Kakraba.  Jong kplek Kple  (The haggard Man)
Mandara Music, 1999.
Transcribed and arranged for marimba by Valerie Dee Naranjo.

Lobi, Kakraba.  Kpanlogo (Dance from the South)
Mandara Music, 1999.
Transcribed and arranged for marimba by Valerie Dee Naranjo.
 

Lobi, Kakraba.  Lo Ben Doma 
Mandara Music, 1999.
Transcribed and arranged for marimba by Valerie Dee Naranjo.

Lobi, Kakraba.  Wenda Kanawa 
Mandara Music, 1999.
Transcribed and arranged for Marimba by Valerie Dee Naranjo.
For voice and two marimbas.

Schmitt, Matthias.  Ghanaia 
Matthias Schmitt Publication, 1997.

Sejourne, Emmanuel.  Five pieces for marimba (Volume 4).
Paris: Editions Musicales Alphonese Leduc, 1994.
 Balafon
 Ambira
 Akadinda
Three of the movements specifically relate to African xylophone technique.

Singeleton,  Alvin.  Argoru VI
PA: European American Music Corporation, 1988.
The title "Argoru" comes from Twi, a language spoken in Ghana, and means "to Play."

Stout, Gordon.  Rumble strips
Dedicated to Matthias Schmittâs composition Ghania.

Thomas, Andrew.  Merlin 
 Massachusetts, Margun Music, 1985.
Second movement based on African Rhythm "abaja."

Asia

Abe, Keiko. Dream of the Cherry Blossoms
Frankfurt: Zimmerman, 1984.
Based on an improvisation of the Japanese folksong "Sakura, Sakura·."  Koto style treatment.

Abe, Keiko. Michi
 Music for Percussion, 1979.
 Improvisation based around Koto style arppeggiations.

Abe, Keiko. Works for Marimba
 Schott, 1987.

Aldridge, Robert.  threedance 
G. Schirmer.
Violin, Marimba and Tabla/triangle.

Farr, Gareth.  Kembang suling for marimba and flute.
New Zealand: Promethean edition Ltd.  1996. 
"Three musical snapshots of Asia"
1. suling   (balinese)
2. shakuhachi   (Japanese)
3. South Indian Ragas and Talas

Huang, Joan. The Legend of Chang-e 
New Music West Inc.
Chinese tonality for Violin and Marimba.

Miki, Minoru.  Marimba Spiritual. Manuscript, 1984.
 Rhythm patterns are derived from the "Chichibu Yatai Bayashi" (festival) 
held annually near Tokyo.  For solo marimba and three percussionists.

Miki, Minoru.  Time for Marimba 
Tokyo: Ongaku No Tomo Sha Corp, 1969. 
Commission by Keiko Abe.

Yasuo, Sueyoshi.  Mirage
Sections simulate a Kabuki actors movement on stage.

The Americas

Albeniz, L.  Asturias (Leyenda) 
 Asbury Park, N.J: Keyboard Percussion Publications, 1989.
Transcribed by L.H.Stevens.

Cancian, Germain. Lo Que No Es Azul
PA: Honeyrock, 1997.
From "Argentinean Music for Marimba." Commissioned and performed by Angel Frettte.

Gomez, Alice.  Gitano
San Antonio: Southern Music Company.

Mobberley, James.  Concerto for Marimba and Four Hands
 Manuscript, 2000.  Chiapas Mexico marimba technique.

Piazzolla, Astor. Para Duo de guitarras
PA : Honeyrock,1998.
Tango suite transcribed for marimba duo by Kevin Super.

Rosauro, Ney.  Brasiliana for Marimba and wood instruments from Cenas Amerindias 
Brasil: Pro Percussao, 1992.

Rosauro, Ney.  Concerto for Marimba and Percussion Ensemble
Brasil:  Pro Percussao, 1986.
Marimba soloist and six performers.

Rosauro, Ney. Three Preludes
San Antonio, Southern Music Company, 1990.

Udow, Michael.  Coyote Dreams 
EQUILIBRIUM, 1997.
Comissioned by Ron Samuels for Katarzyna Mycka.

Yoshioka, Takayoshi.  Three Dances 
 Manuscript.
Afro/afro-cuban rhythmic basis with percussion accompaniment.
 

Other cultures or concepts

Chave, George.  Strike!
Manuscript, 1994.
Commissioned by Dr. Michael Varner.

Druckman, Jacob.  Reflections on the Nature of Water 
Boosey and Hawkes, Inc. 1991.
Six-movement work commissioned by William Moersch, Gordon Stout, and Leigh
Howard Stevens.

Edwards, Ross.  Marimba Dances 
Australia Universal Edition Ltd.  1990.
Three-movement work by Australian composer.

Heslink, Daniel, (arr.) Amazing Grace
PA : Honeyrock, 2000.
Variations use performance practices of West African the gyil and arppeggiated textures reminiscent of the Japanese Koto.

Sammut, Eric.  Four Rotations for Marimba 
Asbury Park, N.J: Keyboard Percussion Publications, 1996.
Each rotation dedicated to a different marimba performing artist

Zivkovic, Nebojsa Jovan. Ilijas 1997.
Commissioned by Rebecca Kite. Balkan dance rhythms.

Zivkovic, Nebojsa Jovan.  Les Violons Morts
Edition Musica Europa, 1994.
Eastern European or Mid-eastern tonalities.