Artichoke Tango (4 Players on 2 Marimbas)

This exciting and lively marimba quartet requires tight rhythmic cohesion, a pinch of attitude, and a dash of drama. Written for four players (2-mallets each) on two marimbas, Artichoke Tango will steal a listener’s heart.

Genre: Marimba Quartet | # of Players: 4
Series: N/A
Level: Medium Advanced | Duration: 2:25

Instrumentation
Marimba 1 (4.3-octave)
Marimba 2 (4.3-octave)
Marimba 3 (4.3-octave)
Marimba 4 (5.0-octave)

Marimba 1 & 3 may share one 4.3-octave instrument and Marimba 2 & 4 may share a 5.0-octave instrument

Program Notes
Artichoke Tango is an exciting and lively marimba quartet that packs an impressive flurry of notes into every moment. This piece requires agility, finesse, timing expertise and rhythmic cohesion, and an utmost attention to detail.

In the midst of writing this quartet, a recipe for Stuffed Artichokes made its way into our family dinner menu. The recipe’s outcome was somewhat unfortunate, and we all spent the remainder of the meal attempting to eat it anyway while laughing about the result. This event sparked an idea to entitle my tango-inspired work-in-progress, Artichoke Tango.

My hope is that with a pinch of attitude and a dash of drama, this piece provides an opportunity for keyboard players to show off their skills and wow their audiences.

– M.L.