Verve (1998)
Chris Harman
PUBLISHER: Self-distributed (Contact composer)
RECORDINGS: Archive performance of Aiyum Huang available from the Canadian Music Centre
RANGE: 4.5 octaves
DURATION: 7:10
MOVEMENTS: Single movement
TYPE OF ACCOMPANIMENT: Effects
MUSICAL OVERVIEW: A perpetual motion style composition. Melodic material is developed and varied throughout as sections also change rhythmic basis. Harmonies emerge as the line progresses horizontally rather than vertically.
TECHNIQUE OVERVIEW: SI, SIA, DV, and DL. The writing is idiomatic and very few spots require difficult sticking choices. Hand-to-hand strokes (meaning simply "alternating hands") are most common, whether as SI or DV. The writing mostly alternates between SI and DV lines. A matching set of four hard mallets is best to bring out the articulation needed at the indicated tempo of the work.
ACCOMPANIMENT OVERVIEW: The application of reverb to the marimba is only needed to compensate for a dry performance space.