Crystal Butterfly (2002)
Ben Wahlund
PUBLISHER: HoneyRock Publications
RECORDINGS: None
RANGE: 4.3 octaves
DURATION: 6:45
MOVEMENTS: Single movement
TYPE OF ACCOMPANIMENT: Fixed
MUSICAL OVERVIEW: The marimba and tape remain synchronized throughout. The tape is secondary to the marimba and provides a very clear accompaniment that is easy to follow. The music is influenced by popular music styles and contains traditional and accessible harmonies. Rhythmically interesting while remaining in the scope of less advanced players. Most players would prefer a matched set of medium-hard mallets to provide clarity to the rhythms at the required tempo. The sound quality of the 1 mallet position, however, benefits from being a slightly softer mallet than the others.
ACCOMPANIMENT OVERVIEW: Synthesized sounds, sampled marimba, and pre-recorded speech. The tape provides a backing rhythm section and mostly avoids melodic and harmonic material.
TECHNIQUE OVERVIEW: SI, SIA, DV, and DL. The work predominately focuses on DV strokes. DL strokes are seldom used. Within phrases, intervals remain fairly static. The hands work together and seldom require complete independence.
COMPOSER'S NOTE: The following text by Ben Wahlund was taken from the score:
In the spring of 2001, my brother visited me and we went on a walk in the woods. Being the avid photographer that he is, Tom was stopping for pictures with every step. He paused, slowly motioned toward a leaf on which the most radiant silver-blue butterfly had perched, and quickly snapped a shot. The butterfly gracefully and effortlessly flew away, glistening with every turn in the light-filled sky. I was mesmerized for the rest of our visit at what a beautiful moment he had been able to capture in what seemed like one effortless action and I recognized that in many ways his study of photography ran parallel to my study of music. So I set out to capture in sound what it was that Tom saw in that butterfly – that beauty of flight summed into one brilliant, joyful moment.