Mallet Dance

Item details

• Description +

  • Duration: 5 min.
    
    Written to Rhythm Art Duo (Fredrik Duvling & Daniel Berg)

• Instrumentation +

  • Percussion Duo
    
    Required Instruments:
    Marimba and Vibraphone

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• About the composer +

  • As a mallet specialist, Åstrand regularly performs recitals and gives clinics throughout the US and Europe, both as a soloist and together with his percussion ensemble Global Percussion Network. Anders Åstrand has several times performed at PASIC (Percussive Arts Society International Convention).
    
    In his compositions, Åstrand focuses on improvisation as an essential feature for soloists as well as the ensemble. In addition to mallet music, Åstrand has been commissioned to composes for brass quintets, saxophone quartet, choirs, and big band. A more spectacular side features compositions for ice instruments to be performed by percussion ensemble (one of the concerts also featured fighter aircraft as instruments), tractors, and an entire building being inaugurated. Åstrand has also composed music for multimedia performances including dance, video projections, ice instruments, and fire sculptures.

• Reviews +

  • Percussive Notes, March, 2012

    This short and sweet four-minute work is more of a technical exercise for the marimbist. In the A section, the marimba writing consists primarily of single independent strokes in the left hand, while executing inside and outside double lateral strokes in the right hand; double lateral strokes alternate, which works the “pendulum” technique. This provides underlying harmonies while the vibraphone plays seemingly improvisational lines above. (Four-mallet technique is also required in the vibraphone.)
    
    The work is in ABA form, with the brief B section consisting of scalar passages in both parts, which quickly leads to the return of the A section. Easily accessible for advanced high school students, this work provides an enjoyable opportunity to feature a duo at your next percussion ensemble concert, or solo and ensemble festival.

    —T. Adam Blackstock

• Credits +

  • Front Cover graphics and layout: Ronni Kot Wenzell
    Engraving: Johan Svitzer
    Printed in Copenhagen, Denmark
    Copyright © Edition SVITZER
    www.editionsvitzer.com

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