music for percussion

To view the master list of music for percussion in the Store, go here. .Pdf’s for reading on an iPad can be provided on request for any score or part in addition to the hard copy at no additional cost. If you would like to hear a complete recording to help consider a piece, write to me at newertunes@hotmail.com.

Fantasias Latinos, for Clarinet and Marimba (2023)

Four movements: Samba, Tango Peculiar, Canción de Lamentación, and Rhumba, all referencing latin jazz styles. Details & excerpts here.

¡Tango Covido!, for Violin and Marimba (2020)

Violin and marimba make a perfect socially-distanced combination for the Covid-19 pandemic. This is a spirited tango in 3rd rondo form. The marimba part goes down to C2, but a version for a smaller version - down to A2 - is also available. About 3:35; $8 for score, parts, and demo recording. Details & excerpts here.

Asturias, for 2 Marimbas, 4 Players (Isaac Albeniz [1860-1909], arr. JJG, 2015)

Originally published as the Preludio from Cantos de España, for Piano (1892), this is better known as the fifth piece in a collection titled Suite Española, published in 1912 by Hofmeister.  The theme itself suggests the rhythm of the buleria—a song from the flamenco repertoire; the accents in the louder passages suggest the footwork of a flamenco dancer. The 2nd marimba must range down to C2 for Player 4. $8 for 2 copies of score & demo. Details & excerpts here.

All for One, for percussion ensemble (2011)

Instrumentation (9 players):

Marimba I, Marimba II, Marimba III, Marimba IV (bass) 

Xylophone; Vibes I & Vibes II with motor on;

4 Timpani (30”, 28”, 25” & 23”), plus piccolo snare, crotales & glockenspiel

Hand Percussion: small suspended cymbal, claves, agogo bells,

vibra-slap, bell tree, cowbell (mounted on stand)

All for One is based upon a number of synthetic modes all beginning with the pitch E.  Some are diatonic or nearly so; others include skips or have whole-tone characteristics.  Each section of the piece is flavored harmonically by one or two of these scales, and some sections modulate to relative modes.  The overall form of the piece is more or less symmetrical, with measures 94-113 (rehearsal F.) as the center section.  “All for One” refers to the manner in which the various players and their parts—rather independent for much of the time—add up to the busy and complex whole.  Occasional unison lines emphasize the “oneness.” Performance time at the marked tempo is about 6:30. $25 for score, parts, demo recording. Details & excerpts here.

Surge, for Marimba (2011)

A virtuoso 4-mallet solo piece requiring an instrument that goes down to C2; about 5:40. Drones on E, with many flourishes & diversions. $5 for score and demo; details & excerpt here.