Hello, I'm looking for a peice for a local concerto competition, on marimba or xylophone, but I have a couple of limitations:
1) Must be for 4 octave marimba
2) Must be 2-mallet or basic 4 mallet technique (I have had little experiance with 4, only playing the Bouree from Bach's Sonatas and Partidas)
3) Where can I get a hold of the music? It seems near impossible to find marimba music anywhere.

I have had significant trouble finding a decent peice besides the Creston, which I have already performed. My best options so far have been Abe's Prism Rhapsody and Mayuzumi's Concertino, but I havehad no way to tell if they are 5 oct, or etc?
Any input at all will be much appriciated.

Prism Rhapsody is more than 4 oct and i believe (just from glancing at the score) thatyou have to play 5 mallets at one point... but don't quote me onthat. Check out the Basta concerto. didn't Alfred Reed write one too?

As far as finding music, you just haven't heard about Steve Weiss yet, that's all. www.steveweissmusic.com Request a catalog... the music listings have numbers that go in accordance with the cd list. Can't go wrong with the King Gong.

Best

CJT

PS Also check out William Moersch's Concerto List on this website (www.marimba.org) for more ideas for pieces.

The Mayuzumi is all 2 mallet and, as it is written for xylophone and orchestra, would fit on a 4 octave marimba. One caveat, if you're doing it with piano accom. instead of orch., the part is rather nasty. Have a very good piano picker lined up.

And Steve Weiss is the way to go.

If you are looking for real challenge, check out the Kurka concerto. You can play the 1st mvt. with either two or four mallets pending your technical preference.

RD