Ramsody

Item details

Description +
- Preface
  
  I have wanted to write something based on Paganini's famous theme for many years. Many composers have done this - I ended up composing a piece that is quite virtuosic at times, but should not be taken too seriously.
Instrumentation +
- Marimba (4.3 Octave)
About the composer +
- Edmund’s music draws on a huge range of styles and influences. He writes music for film and television and is also an award-winning concert composer.
  
  First Prizes in composition competitions include: Freudig Singers Choral Composition Competition, USA; Ithaca College Choral Composition Competition, USA; Amadeus Choir Song writing Competition, Canada; Ely Consort Advent Composing Competition; Hendrix Candlelight Carol Competition, USA; Renée B. Fisher Composer Award, USA.
  
  Recent commissions include pieces for the Royal Academy of Music, the London Chinese Children’s Ensemble, and Oxford University Press Collections. His choral music is available from OUP, Stainer and Bell, Banks Music. ABRSM publish a clarinet piece by him for their Grade 2 2022 syllabus.
  
  He has been writing music to picture for over twenty years. Major series he has composed music for include ‘Who do you think you are?’ (BBC1), ‘Homestead Rescue’ (Discovery), ‘Sort your life out’ (BBC1), ‘Grand Designs: The Street’ (C4), ‘Crazy Delicious’ (C4/Netflix), ‘Long Lost Family’ (ITV1) and ‘Unreported World’ (C4). He was nominated for an RTS Craft and Design Award for his score for the BBC film ‘Elizabeth at 90’.
  
  He is a Lecturer in Composing for the Moving Image at City University and taught composition at the Royal Academy of Music and Trinity College of Music (Junior Departments) for many years.
  
  In 2021 Odense Percussion, led by Søren Monrad, commissioned a new ensemble piece by Edmund called The Game, which was world-premiered at the Danish National Academy of Music, Denmark on November 15, 2021.
  
  More information about him can be found at: www.edmundjolliffe.com
  
  Information current to December 2022
Reviews +
- Review (Percussive Notes, June 2024)
  
  What a beautiful composition! Published in 2022, this marimba solo is based on Paganini’s famous theme and directed towards advanced players. There are quite a few challenging aspects presented in this solo. A good portion of the piece has running sixteenth notes in the right hand, and quarter- and eighth-note support in the left hand. It’s quite reminiscent of the Kevin Bobo composition “Gordon’s Bicycle.” That’s a lot of work for the right hand, but don’t worry, this eventually flips to give the left hand a turn at the sixteenth-note runs. Several sections dance throughout with strong dynamic direction and plenty of practice with one-handed rolls — some very advanced techniques. The ending is a true pyrotechnic display.
  
  It is wonderful to see such a high-level piece of music written for a 4.3-octave marimba. Because of the thoughtful chord progressions and range, the usual bottom-end sound from a 5-octave is not missed. This piece would not be appropriate for novice players, but if you have some experience and would like a challenge, then it is definitely for you. It would fit great in a recital for an advanced degree and even better at the professional level.
  
  —Ben Cantrell
Credits +
- Front Cover graphics and layout: Nicola Lee
  Printed in Copenhagen, Denmark
  Copyright © Edition SVITZER
  www.editionsvitzer.com

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