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Fantasy for Vibraphone
Live performance by Robert Schroyer.
Fantasy for Vibraphone is a concert solo which intentionally steers away from the instrument’s jazz roots. The thematic style is pure Jesse Monkman whose popular marimba solos have entertained audiences and challenged players for years. With a mysterious and minor theme, driving motion, and technical requirements, this solo would be a unique choice for recital or jury repertoire for the experienced mallet player.
This piece ships as a printed, professionally bound folio with a full-color cover.
Fans of Jesse Monkman’s marimba works will enjoy this six-minute solo, his first for vibraphone. True to his compositional strengths, this work is pattern oriented with a dance-like quality. To his credit, Monkman eliminates feelings of repetitiveness by interrupting phrases with odd-meter measures and tempo fluctuations.
Opening with a minor theme (with hints of Spanish influence), the bulk of the beginning contains a driving rhythmic element that aids in the momentum of the work. The middle section (labeled “ethereal”) is highly reminiscent of the composer’s marimba works, as a continually moving pattern supplies a bed of tonality for an upper melodic voice. The opening section makes a brief reappearance to finish off the work with some speed and flash. While pedaling is left up to the performer, chords and tonic centers change about every two measures.
While a majority of the sticking patterns and technical demands feel like those asked of a marimbist, this solo works well on vibraphone. With its performer and audience accessibility, I am sure Monkman’s first vibraphone solo will become as popular as his marimba works with high school and university performers.
–Joshua D. Smith
Percussive Notes
Vol. 51, No. 3, May 2013
Fantasy for Vibraphone is a concert solo which intentionally steers away from the instrument’s jazz roots. The thematic style is pure Jesse Monkman whose popular marimba solos have entertained audiences and challenged players for years. With a mysterious and minor theme, driving motion, and technical requirements, this solo would be a unique choice for recital or jury repertoire for the experienced mallet player.
This piece ships as a printed, professionally bound folio with a full-color cover.
Fans of Jesse Monkman’s marimba works will enjoy this six-minute solo, his first for vibraphone. True to his compositional strengths, this work is pattern oriented with a dance-like quality. To his credit, Monkman eliminates feelings of repetitiveness by interrupting phrases with odd-meter measures and tempo fluctuations.
Opening with a minor theme (with hints of Spanish influence), the bulk of the beginning contains a driving rhythmic element that aids in the momentum of the work. The middle section (labeled “ethereal”) is highly reminiscent of the composer’s marimba works, as a continually moving pattern supplies a bed of tonality for an upper melodic voice. The opening section makes a brief reappearance to finish off the work with some speed and flash. While pedaling is left up to the performer, chords and tonic centers change about every two measures.
While a majority of the sticking patterns and technical demands feel like those asked of a marimbist, this solo works well on vibraphone. With its performer and audience accessibility, I am sure Monkman’s first vibraphone solo will become as popular as his marimba works with high school and university performers.
–Joshua D. Smith
Percussive Notes
Vol. 51, No. 3, May 2013
