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Franz Shubert’s Sonata in A Major D. 959 “II. Andantino,” originally written for solo piano, is an expressively diverse piece requiring virtuosic playing. Adam Bruce’s arrangement for two mallet players, simply titled Andantino opens with a hauntingly beautiful section that calls for a high level of expression and sensitivity. From there, an inquisitive transition features the first marimbist, as the second player offers harmonic support on the vibraphone. The third section presents both high technical and musical demands on each player as detailed tempo fluctuation gives the music both energy and forward motion, while remaining true to the original intent of the piece. Finally, a “coda” of sorts brings this arrangement to a solemn end.
Andantino comes as a professionally printed and bound score and includes individual parts in PDF format for printing or for tablet viewing.
• Vibraphone
• 2 marimbas—(1) low A, (1) low C
Adam Bruce does a commendable job of arranging a piece originally composed for solo piano for keyboard duo. Because it was originally a piano solo, there are sections where complex rhythms are layered over top of each other. In that sense, an understanding of the other player’s part is paramount to lining up the parts.
The piece opens with dark and expressive melodic lines in F-sharp minor. This gives the performers an opportunity to explore their sensitivity and ability to musically emote on the marimba as a duo. The second section features cadenza-like runs in the Marimba 1 part, while the Marimba 2 part switches to sustained chords on the vibraphone. The next section allows both players to showcase virtuosic playing on the marimba through both diatonic and chromatic runs of sixteenth and thirty-second notes and sextuplets. The final section acts as a quasi-coda that returns to the subdued feel from the beginning.
I would recommend this piece for a university or professional duo looking to enhance their chamber skills and expressive potential. The piece is a beautiful blend of spacious, lyrical playing and rapid, virtuosic playing that lends itself well to either scenario. It is a beautiful work that translates quite well to marimba (with some vibraphone).
—Justin Bunting
Percussive Notes
Vol. 59, No. 3, June 2021
Franz Shubert’s Sonata in A Major D. 959 “II. Andantino,” originally written for solo piano, is an expressively diverse piece requiring virtuosic playing. Adam Bruce’s arrangement for two mallet players, simply titled Andantino opens with a hauntingly beautiful section that calls for a high level of expression and sensitivity. From there, an inquisitive transition features the first marimbist, as the second player offers harmonic support on the vibraphone. The third section presents both high technical and musical demands on each player as detailed tempo fluctuation gives the music both energy and forward motion, while remaining true to the original intent of the piece. Finally, a “coda” of sorts brings this arrangement to a solemn end.
Andantino comes as a professionally printed and bound score and includes individual parts in PDF format for printing or for tablet viewing.
• Vibraphone
• 2 marimbas—(1) low A, (1) low C
Adam Bruce does a commendable job of arranging a piece originally composed for solo piano for keyboard duo. Because it was originally a piano solo, there are sections where complex rhythms are layered over top of each other. In that sense, an understanding of the other player’s part is paramount to lining up the parts.
The piece opens with dark and expressive melodic lines in F-sharp minor. This gives the performers an opportunity to explore their sensitivity and ability to musically emote on the marimba as a duo. The second section features cadenza-like runs in the Marimba 1 part, while the Marimba 2 part switches to sustained chords on the vibraphone. The next section allows both players to showcase virtuosic playing on the marimba through both diatonic and chromatic runs of sixteenth and thirty-second notes and sextuplets. The final section acts as a quasi-coda that returns to the subdued feel from the beginning.
I would recommend this piece for a university or professional duo looking to enhance their chamber skills and expressive potential. The piece is a beautiful blend of spacious, lyrical playing and rapid, virtuosic playing that lends itself well to either scenario. It is a beautiful work that translates quite well to marimba (with some vibraphone).
—Justin Bunting
Percussive Notes
Vol. 59, No. 3, June 2021
