I would like to see an historical review of all of the recordings of each marimbist. For instance - Vida, Keiko, Gordon, LHS, N Zeltsman R Kite, etc. This would be musically important by itself, and also assist knowledgeably purchasing the recordings.

Incidentally - did Jose Bethancourt record?

Hello Ben,

Good topic of discussion. I would start out with these 5 recordings, which i feel are essential and belong in every marimbists CD collection.

1. KEIKO ABE - SOLO MARIMBA SELECTIONS CD {Essential, contains Time, Torse 3 and Mirage. Honestly i feel everyone should listen to this CD at least once. It is an interesting listening experience and would help clear up a lot of ignorance among both teachers and students in the marimba community on why people play the old Japanese literature with Two Tone mallets and risk breaking bars. }

2. LEIGH HOWARD STEVENS - BACH ON MARIMBA CD {Essential, clearly one of the best marimba CDs ever released. The Two Part Inventions are superbly interpreted. The new Cd containing the contemporary pieces written for LHS is way overdue.}

3. WILLIAM MOERSCH - THE MODERN MARIMBA CD {out of print, but there are copies floating around. Occasionally one will appear on ebay for sale. Contains the best recordings of Reflections on the Nature of Water and After Syrinx II}

4. GORDON STOUT - MUSIC FOR SOLO MARIMBA CD {Temporarily out of print, should be re-released soon. Personally i don't know why, wouldn't it have made more sense to release a new CD instead of re-releasing a previous CD that was already selling well in the marimba community? This time perhaps with some non-original rep. like the Druckman, Thomas or even the Schwantner.}

5. VIDA CHENOWETH - KURKA CONCERTO FOR MARIMBA CD {Very Historic Recording. One of the best , if not the best concerto recording out there.}

Other recommendations:

Flippio Lattanzi - Fields CD {contains one of the best recordings of Velocities and of Raymond Helble's first book of Preludes}

Marta Klimasara - I Ching CD {Contains the best recording of Merlin, a superb recording of Velocities and an emotional performance of Sejourne's Nancy.}

Keiko Abe - Marimba Fantasy CD { if you like Miss Abe's Japanese pieces from the 1980's}

Robert Van Sice - Three Marimba Concertos {also out of print, but contains a good recording of the Hovhaness and Klatzow concertos}

Nancy Zeltsman - Woodcuts CD {I prefer this cd over See Ya Thursday. Contains a good recording of Merlin. This could be out of print also.}