4 Préludes - Book No. 2

Item details

• Description +

  • Duration: 15 min.
    
    This second set of Préludes is written to develop both technique and musicianship for an intermediate level 4-mallet marimba student.  Each piece is progressively more difficult and should be learned in order for maximum effect.  Your goals should be to build the strength and flexibility needed for longer pieces, gain hand and mallet independence, refine sequential sticking patterns, and establish smooth interval changes out to an octave.  This collection should also help you to visualize chromatic interval patterns, and recognize seventh chords and extensions on the keyboard. 
    
    no. 5 [...lost] The opening chords signal the emphasis on changing intervals in this piece, especially stretching out to an octave in the low register.  Keep a steady groove throughout, even though long rolls and silences. 
    
    no. 6 [...why?] Imagine the sustained tone quality of a choir or string ensemble for the right sound.  Make sure all voices are in balance, and that the melody is clearly heard.  Change to harder mallets at m. 41. 
    
    no. 7 [...torque] Play with energy and enjoy!  But be careful not to take too fast a tempo or rush the rotation strokes throughout.  Follow the repeats and this piece plays itself. 
    
    no. 8 [...forgotten memories] Explore different qualities of arm weight to achieve the deepest resonance possible.  Full weight on legato tones at the beginning, even balance through the long rolls, lightness and quickness in the arpeggio section. 
    
    Each of book of Préludes can be performed together as a multi-movement set, but individual works may also be played separately, or in combination with other pieces in the entire collection

• Instrumentation +

  • Marimba (5-octave)

• About the composer +

  • Dr. Jeremy Brunk serves as Lecturer of Music at Millikin University,where he teaches applied percussion, percussion methods, music theory, ear training and assists with the percussion ensembles. Outside of Millikin, he has given solo recitals and masterclasses in marimba and timpani across central and northern Illinois, including past events for PAS and IMEA. Most recently, his composition Dominican Cycles was performed at 2008 PASIC by the Millikin Percussion Ensemble, and he gave solo marimba recitals at Millikin and Northern Illinois Universities last Spring. Dr. Brunk currently serves as Principal Timpanist for the Millikin-Decatur Symphony, Section Percussionist with the Illinois Symphony, and acting Principal Timpanist with the Peoria Symphony this season; appearing previously with Sinfonia da Camera, Champaign-Urbana Symphony, Oklahoma City Philharmonic and North Carolina School of the Arts Summer Festival Orchestra. He is also co-founding member of Melange Chamber Players of Chicago and works each summer as a dance accompanist at Interlochen Center for the Arts. In 2007, Jeremy Brunk completed his D.M.A.in Percussion Performance and Literature at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign; and holds an M.M from the University of Oklahoma and B.M. from Millikin University.

• Reviews +

  • Review (Percussive Notes, March 2013)

    Dr. Jeremy Brunk is a Lecturer of Music at Millikin University and developed his preludes over many years of working with his students. According to the composer, this second set of Préludes was written to develop technique and musicianship for the intermediate fourmallet marimba student. Each piece is progressively more difficult and it is recommended they be learned in sequence for maximum benefit. The goals are to build the strength and flexibility needed for longer pieces, gain hand and mallet independence, refine sequential sticking patterns, and establish smooth interval changes out to an octave. In addition, studying this collection should help the performer visualize chromatic interval patterns and recognize seventh chords and extensions on the keyboard. The composer states, “Each book of Préludes can be performed together as a multimovement set, but individual works may also be played separately, or in combination with other pieces in the entire collection.” 

    The pieces in this set (Book 2) are titled as No. 5, 6, 7, and 8, but they also contain descriptive subtitles along with details outlining the focus of the technical and musical elements in each work. This information guides the teacher and student in the best way to use each piece when developing four-mallet marimba technique. They are between 60 and 100 measures long, can be learned relatively quickly, and will lend themselves well to a weekly lesson structure.

    —Jeff Moore

• Credits +

  • Front cover: Sune Kliborg Lynge (Kliborg Design) 
    Engraving: Jeremy Brunk & Johan Svitzer
    Printed in Copenhagen, Denmark
    Copyright © Edition SVITZER
    www.editionsvitzer.com

Related publications

4 Préludes - Book No. 1

5 Préludes - Book No. 3