Modi-fications (1990)
David Little
PUBLISHER: Donemus Publishing
RECORDINGS: None
RANGE: 4.6 octaves
DURATION: 14:45
MOVEMENTS: Single movement
TYPE OF ACCOMPANIMENT: Fixed
MUSICAL OVERVIEW: The first two and half minutes of the work is improvised, beginning with three pitches in the middle octave of the marimba and gradually expanding to include twenty-two pitches spanning the range of the instrument. After complete randomness from the marimba and tape, a sudden descending passage requires the marimba and tape to synchronize. The difficulty lies in catching the tempo, as there is no beat in the tape to aid the performer. The following section combines marimba rolls with sweeping, sustained tones in the tape. From the rolled section to the end, the tape provides a beat for the performer; however, the beat can be difficult to discern at times. The sound of the marimba and tape should blend into one instrument. A subwoofer is recommended. The score indicates and calls for soft mallets, hard mallets, and two-tone mallets. These suggestions should be followed.
ACCOMPANIMENT OVERVIEW: Synthesized sounds and sampled percussion and marimba sound with effects applied. The tape begins with random beeps of pitches and long periods of silence before an ostinato pattern develops around fifty seconds into the work. This pattern continues for almost two more minutes. From the end of the opening improvised section through the end of the work, the tape and performer are rhythmically and texturally intertwined. The tape contains contemporary sounds using modern processing techniques. The tape interacts with the marimba, often sounding like live effects.
TECHNIQUE OVERVIEW: SI, SIA, DV, and DL. The performer must execute basic polyrhythms between hands. Occasionally the polyrhythms occur within two mallets of the same hand. The work requires large leaps and large space between hands. DV strokes range from seconds through octaves in both hands.