Deux Trois Souvenirs

This duet for marimba and voice is set in a French waltz style. The vocal part can be sung in any octave (voice type is not specified), but the composer wants an opera comique style. Nathan Smith writes, “This piece is intended to be a lighthearted waltz, full of brightness and tranquility. The French language pairs exceptionally well with the sound quality of the marimba and serves to transport the listener and player to the French countryside.” He succeeds in these goals, as the piece is charming, reflective, and sure to leave a smile on the listener’s face.

The vocal part is not particularly difficult or wide-ranging melodically. It does require knowledge of French diction. The marimba part features a waltz-style “boom-chick-chick” that takes some agility and precision. Being a song style, the phrases and chords are somewhat repetitive, sometimes only changing chord voicing from phrase to phrase. In general, the marimba part serves as an accompaniment to the vocal part, but there is a section in the middle that is a marimba solo and marked “ad lib. (opt),” leaving room for improvisation over the chord progression.

I recommend this piece to anyone looking to collaborate with a vocalist, but it would specifically fit well on a university-level recital. Perhaps the marimbist has a vocalist friend who has been working on French diction. This piece would serve as both a challenge and a rewarding performance experience for both musicians.

—Justin Bunting
Percussive Notes
Vol. 60, No. 2, April 2022