Redshift

“Redshift” is a challenging marimba solo described by composer Stephen Karukas as a “moto perpetuo.” Much of the challenge comes from the stamina required to keep the momentum going throughout its approximately seven minutes. The musical material mostly consists of cascading sixteenth notes with a melodic line popping out of the texture. I appreciate the clarity of phrase markings, dynamics, and articulations; they greatly assist the performer in interpreting large amounts of notes.

Another challenge of “Redshift” is that Karukas uses many different time signatures, including the rarely seen bottom number 24 (where the sextuplet gets the beat). He also employs creative harmonic and melodic movements to help maintain interest throughout the almost constantly moving notes and repetitive material. Technical challenges abound in this work, including rotation strokes, octaves, double stops, independence, and fast-moving single lines.

“Redshift” is an admirable addition to the marimba repertoire, and I recommend it to those looking for something new, challenging, and engaging.

—Joseph Van Hassel
Percussive Notes
Vol. 61, No. 6, December 2023