Hangar 84 (1998)
Paul Bissell
PUBLISHER: Go Fish Music
RECORDINGS: Marimba Tracks, Janis Potter (Jump Recordings)
RANGE: 5.0 octaves
DURATION: 10:00
MOVEMENTS: Single movement
TYPE OF ACCOMPANIMENT: Fixed
MUSICAL OVERVIEW: The marimba and tape seem to work best as a compliment to one another. There are few moments when one takes the attention from the other. The writing makes use of the entire range of the instrument and extreme dynamic range. Four matched medium-hard mallets (or exchange one medium mallet in the 1 position) are suggested.
ACCOMPANIMENT OVERVIEW: Synthesized sounds. Although the accompaniment is fixed, the composition is designed to allow some flexibility in interpretation. Bissell indicates moments where the performer may play out of time or repeat figures and, conversely, where strict time is needed.
TECHNIQUE OVERVIEW: SI, SIA, DV, and DL. The writing relies on several repetitive stickings. Some intricate, but quite idiomatic, four-mallet stickings make the single-line writing very straightforward. An octave interval within one hand is prominent. The writing is accessible, containing no large leaps or sudden shifts and the hands remain close together.