The Hinchinbrook Riffs (2009)
Nigel Westlake
PUBLISHER: Rimshot Music Australia
RECORDINGS: none
RANGE: 5.0 octaves
DURATION: 8:30
MOVEMENTS: single movement
TYPE OF ACCOMPANIMENT: Electronic effects
MUSICAL OVERVIEW: Almost a moto perpetuo, the work is a stream of nearly-constant sixteenth notes played at a consistent 100 beats per minute, mostly in 3/4 and 4/4. The entire range of the instrument is utilized, but there is a focus on the mid-range. Although the writing is repetitious, accents and alterations/expansions bring out distinct melodic threads to create different voices happening simultaneously. The marimba and delay produce a legato and smooth sound, so articulate mallets are desirable to aid in clarity of the texture. It is also important the mallets produce a characteristic sound throughout the entire range of the instrument. A matched set of medium or medium-hard mallets, or possibly the use of a slightly softer bass mallet, are preferred.
ACCOMPANIMENT OVERVIEW: The effects require a delay pedal or computer software capable of delaying an input line. Multiple microphones are likely needed to capture the entire range of the marimba.
TECHNIQUE OVERVIEW: SI and SIA. Only two DV occur in the work. The writing utilizes single-line stickings that are very idiomatic. The majority of writing alternates from hand-to-hand with single-independent figures. Most of the writing involves comfortable intervals within a hand and the single-line style requires both hands to be in close proximity. There are a few notable leaps, but the writing allows enough time to transition.