...all things hastened back to Unity uses Greek philosopher Xenophanes' quote as a basis for its structure and motivic development. From an eight measure chord progression and a single arpeggiation pattern come all melodic and rhythmic material for the work.…
Style:
Percussion
Composer:
J.B. Smith
Publisher:
C. Alan Publications
The piece opens freely with a quick 32nd note pattern to be repeated ad lib with written dead strokes to be interspersed throughout. Out of this section comes a more structured multi-meter section (4/4, 7/4, 5/4, 6/4) before settling in 10/8. Independent…
Style:
Solo Works
Composer:
J.B. Smith
Publisher:
C. Alan Publications
After a free, improvisatory opening, Choice moves into a rhythmically exciting dance-like section in 6/8. The performer is required to play polyrhythms between the hands as if the music can’t decide whether it is in 6/8 or 2/4. It then dies down into a final…
Style:
Solo Works
Composer:
J.B. Smith
Publisher:
C. Alan Publications
Marimba Feature
This work by one of world’s finest marimbists further demonstrates his ability to pair his extraordinary compositional skills with an intimate knowledge of the total percussion family. The work calls for six percussionists and a pianist in…
Style:
Percussion
Composer:
Gordon Stout
Publisher:
OU Percussion Press
with CD Accompaniment
This atmospherically driven work for marimba/vibraphone soloist and electronic accompaniment features synthetic bass-infused textures throughout while the soloist plays arpeggiated figures with melody notes that soar above the texture.…
Style:
Solo Works
Composer:
P. Winsor, J.B. Smith
Publisher:
C. Alan Publications
After a lyrical opening exploring independent rolls, the piece quickly moves into a perpetual motion section of running sixteenth notes. Traveling through countless meter changes, the driving accents and rhythms end up owning the performer and the audience…
Style:
Solo Works
Composer:
J.B. Smith
Publisher:
C. Alan Publications
The first four etudes explore different sticking combinations (1423, 243, 321, and so on) in a musically and compositionally sound setting. Smith provides sticking indications for these four pieces. The fifth and final etude combines the techniques in the…
Style:
Solo Works
Composer:
J.B. Smith
Publisher:
C. Alan Publications
with CD Accompaniment
In Light of Three is a two-movement work that features a lyrical first movement and odd-meter, funk-derived second movement. Marimba used in first movement and vibraphone in second. High register in clarinet part requires advanced player…
Style:
Percussion
Composer:
J.B. Smith
Publisher:
C. Alan Publications
with Spoken Voice
The percussion lay down a groove for this work with solo voice that can also stand alone as a great ensemble work.Program NotesText by M.B. Hanrahan Invitation stands. Driven to a foreign land and dropped from the sky, through a hole in your…
Style:
Percussion
Composer:
J.B. Smith, Hanrahan
Publisher:
C. Alan Publications
The five movements are not programmatic in a literal sense but are suggestive of the tableaux and natural drama one might encounter in a mountain environment. Although the piece was written to be performed in its complete form without breaks between movements…
Style:
Percussion
Composer:
J.B. Smith
Publisher:
C. Alan Publications