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Waltz for A Windy Day
John Willmarth’s light and airy solo for vibraphone Waltz for A Windy Day was composed for his wife and daughters and is meant to reflect a sunny, breezy day in South Carolina. In this uplifting solo, John begins the piece with running sixteenth-note arpeggios which help set the overall wistful nature of the piece. He then introduces the main melody and accompaniment, which is touchingly song-like. The sixteenth-note arpeggios return and the pieces comes to a close, quoting the main melody in its final bars. Although this piece is playable on a standard 3-octave vibraphone with only two-mallets, more experienced players may find it preferable to use four mallets.
Waltz for A Windy Day ships in a printed, professionally bound folio with a full color cover.
• Vibraphone (3-octave, standard)
This new work for vibraphone offers an easy melody in a traditional waltz setting, providing an excellent introduction to the vibraphone. The performer will be able to focus on technical aspects while not being distracted with fast moving lines or difficult stickings. The composer allows performers to choose their own pedaling, and forgoes the use of extended techniques.
This piece would be an excellent companion to vibraphone technique study. Dampening and pedaling can be explored by the performer, and the intricacies of vibraphone sticking and bar placement will be addressed as well. John Willmarth has provided young vibraphonists with a great introduction to the instrument, being easy enough for technique focus, but difficult enough to keep the performer and audience engaged. This would be a great addition to an undergraduate or advanced high school student’s recital.
—Josh Armstrong
Percussive Notes
Vol. 58, No. 5, October 2020
John Willmarth’s light and airy solo for vibraphone Waltz for A Windy Day was composed for his wife and daughters and is meant to reflect a sunny, breezy day in South Carolina. In this uplifting solo, John begins the piece with running sixteenth-note arpeggios which help set the overall wistful nature of the piece. He then introduces the main melody and accompaniment, which is touchingly song-like. The sixteenth-note arpeggios return and the pieces comes to a close, quoting the main melody in its final bars. Although this piece is playable on a standard 3-octave vibraphone with only two-mallets, more experienced players may find it preferable to use four mallets.
Waltz for A Windy Day ships in a printed, professionally bound folio with a full color cover.
• Vibraphone (3-octave, standard)
This new work for vibraphone offers an easy melody in a traditional waltz setting, providing an excellent introduction to the vibraphone. The performer will be able to focus on technical aspects while not being distracted with fast moving lines or difficult stickings. The composer allows performers to choose their own pedaling, and forgoes the use of extended techniques.
This piece would be an excellent companion to vibraphone technique study. Dampening and pedaling can be explored by the performer, and the intricacies of vibraphone sticking and bar placement will be addressed as well. John Willmarth has provided young vibraphonists with a great introduction to the instrument, being easy enough for technique focus, but difficult enough to keep the performer and audience engaged. This would be a great addition to an undergraduate or advanced high school student’s recital.
—Josh Armstrong
Percussive Notes
Vol. 58, No. 5, October 2020
