Marimba colleagues:
I am currently working on a project researching aspects of world
music found in western marimba compositions and would appreciate your help.
I am searching for compositions, both published and unpublished that exhibit
specific traits that can be linked to world cultures. An example might be
the use of a particular tala or raga from India as the basis of a
composition for "Western" marimba, or the ostinato type figures used on West
African Gyils or Mbiras. I want to emphasize that I am searching for
authentic techniques and tonalities rather than "folk-songs" transcribed for
the marimba (although I will appreciate information on that aspect as well).
Of particular interest are newly written compositions. Could you make a
list of marimba works that you are aware of (solo or chamber ensemble) and
email it to me as soon as possible or by January 1? I will compile all the
information and it will be published later this spring. Thanks in advance
for your assistance!

Dr. Michael Varner, Arlington, Texas

For african music there is a piece by Matthias Schmitt called Ghanaia. There are also Gyil solos by Kakraba Lobi transcribed by Valerie Naranjo. There is Emmanuel Sejourne's "Five Pieces for Marimba" 3 of which are african influence. I think you will be hard pressed to find Raga type pieces for marimba given them being considered microtonal to the western tonality system. However there is a timpani solo by Bill Cahn (I thkink) called Raga #1. That's all I know off the top of my head.
Jonathan