Walking DistanceWalking Distance
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Walking Distance

for marimba duo
Level: Med-Advanced
Duration: 6:45
Personnel: 2 players
State Lists: Florida
Release Date: 2021
Product ID : TSPCD21-003
Price: $29.00
Item #: TSPCD21-003

Formats Available:


Description

In “Walking Distance,” one of the earliest episodes of The Twilight Zone, Rod Serling established a strangely beautiful sense of existential awareness as a man attempts to relive the happiest moments of his youth, only to realize those moments are well behind him. It is a profound realization which evokes deep sadness, even regret, and yet promises hope for those who attempt to better themselves in the future.

Composed for two marimbas, Peter Naughton’s Walking Distance reflects these sentiments, juxtaposing innocence with nostalgic melancholy. The piece establishes three simple and distinctive themes, which become more densely developed and intertwined with each other. The freewheeling lyricism and subtle grooves of this piece provide the performers a range of expressive possibilities within a consistent pulse.

This piece requires a 4-octave marimba and a 4.6-octave (low E) marimba. If a 4.6-octave instrument isn’t available, the Marimba 2 part may be performed on a 4.5-octave (low F) instrument by transposing any low E notes up an octave.

Walking Distance comes as a professionally printed and bound score and includes individual parts in PDF format for printing or for tablet viewing.

Instrumentation

2 marimbas—(1) 4-octave, (1) low E*

*Performable using a low F instrument with minor alterations

Reviews

Peter Naughton’s new work for marimba duet received its title from an early episode of The Twilight Zone. The show portrays a person attempting to relive the memories of his youth, only to realize it cannot be done. The piece captures the feeling of what the composer calls “nostalgic melancholy” quite well.

The work consists of three different themes that become intertwined throughout. They create a sense of playfulness and childlike innocence through simplicity and multimeter phrases. There is a groove to the piece that does not overpower the work in the background moving the piece forward. The work stays soft for the majority of the time, only having a few sections marked forte, which helps with the feeling of remembrance.

The players must have a strong sense of pulse to effectively perform the mixed meter and syncopated rhythms. Both players should be proficient with four-mallet technique — in particular, single independent, single alternating, double lateral, and double vertical strokes. Although utilizing a 4.6-octave marimba, there are suggestions for a 4.5-octave instrument as well.

This work is sure to be a crowd pleaser and would work well on a senior or master’s level recital. The playful memories are enhanced even more by the use of two players, or perhaps two friends, performing together. I look forward to hearing this piece performed many times in the future.

—Josh Armstrong
Percussive Notes
Vol. 60, No. 1, February 2022

Description

In “Walking Distance,” one of the earliest episodes of The Twilight Zone, Rod Serling established a strangely beautiful sense of existential awareness as a man attempts to relive the happiest moments of his youth, only to realize those moments are well behind him. It is a profound realization which evokes deep sadness, even regret, and yet promises hope for those who attempt to better themselves in the future.

Composed for two marimbas, Peter Naughton’s Walking Distance reflects these sentiments, juxtaposing innocence with nostalgic melancholy. The piece establishes three simple and distinctive themes, which become more densely developed and intertwined with each other. The freewheeling lyricism and subtle grooves of this piece provide the performers a range of expressive possibilities within a consistent pulse.

This piece requires a 4-octave marimba and a 4.6-octave (low E) marimba. If a 4.6-octave instrument isn’t available, the Marimba 2 part may be performed on a 4.5-octave (low F) instrument by transposing any low E notes up an octave.

Walking Distance comes as a professionally printed and bound score and includes individual parts in PDF format for printing or for tablet viewing.

Instrumentation

2 marimbas—(1) 4-octave, (1) low E*

*Performable using a low F instrument with minor alterations

Reviews

Peter Naughton’s new work for marimba duet received its title from an early episode of The Twilight Zone. The show portrays a person attempting to relive the memories of his youth, only to realize it cannot be done. The piece captures the feeling of what the composer calls “nostalgic melancholy” quite well.

The work consists of three different themes that become intertwined throughout. They create a sense of playfulness and childlike innocence through simplicity and multimeter phrases. There is a groove to the piece that does not overpower the work in the background moving the piece forward. The work stays soft for the majority of the time, only having a few sections marked forte, which helps with the feeling of remembrance.

The players must have a strong sense of pulse to effectively perform the mixed meter and syncopated rhythms. Both players should be proficient with four-mallet technique — in particular, single independent, single alternating, double lateral, and double vertical strokes. Although utilizing a 4.6-octave marimba, there are suggestions for a 4.5-octave instrument as well.

This work is sure to be a crowd pleaser and would work well on a senior or master’s level recital. The playful memories are enhanced even more by the use of two players, or perhaps two friends, performing together. I look forward to hearing this piece performed many times in the future.

—Josh Armstrong
Percussive Notes
Vol. 60, No. 1, February 2022


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