Composer's Notes: Song for My Mother by Dr. Juan Alamo is a marimba solo scored for 5- octave marimba. The piece is divided in three sections. In the first section marked Rubato and Expressivo the composer present the melody in the right hand using independed rolls over an arpeggiated bass line. This is followed by a contrasting section where the composer used an ostinato rhythmic pattern based on sixteen notes. This middle section is a rhythmic variation of the opening section. The third section is a short recapitulation of the opening section that connects to the coda.
"Requiring a 5.0-octave marimba, this is a touching six-and-a-half minute composition written in an intro-A-B-A-coda structure. The 10-measure introduction, marked as rubato and expressivo, opens with a melody in the right hand using one-handed rolls over an arpeggiated bass line leading to the 12-measure, chorale-like section A. This is followed by a contrasting section, marked tranquillo and legato, where the sixteenth-note permutation 1232 4123 1423 1423 is used as an ostinato. This middle section is a rhythmic variation of the introduction and incorporates a key signature change adding variety. A ritardando of a rising sixteenth-note passage leads to the recapitulation of section A, which is then followed by a six-measure coda culminating in a quiet ending. This piece is great for college marimbists who wish to work on being lyrical and expressive and would be a wonderful addition to recital repertoire." - I-Jen Fang Percussive Notes, August/September 2009. |
