To whomever might be able to offer some advice..
I'm in my 4th year at the University of Nebraska Lincoln as a percussion performance major and plan to continue on for graduate school fall of 2005. I know there is a vast selection of marimba concerti availible and wanted to know what are some of the selections I should familiarize myself with. I don't really have the time to learn entire pieces, but if there is a certain movement or just what pieces to seriously look at. Thanks for your input

ben

Ben,

You have probably looked at both my "Syllabus & Repertoire List" and "Marimba Concerto List" on this web site -- if not, do so.

I recommend every musician have a good historical grounding, so start with the early or traditional concerti: Creston, Milhaud, Kurka, Basta and Sarmientos. At the very least, listen to them and examine a score; if possible, play through them.

Then, look at some of the modern concerti. I recommend the Bennett, Klatzow, Svoboda, Kopetzki and Ewazen (it may be time to update that concerto list!).

That should get you started.

WM

P.S. The best way to learn this material is to pick out a different concerto to learn EACH YEAR for your school's "Concerto Competition," and then ideally, perform with orchestra at some point.

A good sequence might be: Hovhaness or Mayuzumi, Creston or Basta, Kurka or Sarmientos, Klatzow or Bennett, Svoboda or Kopetzki.

There are other popular favorites (Abe and Rosauro, for instance), but I prefer a bit more substance.

WM