Classics for Marimba Trio (Perc Ens 3)

This delightful collection of 6 classical arrangements for marimba trio by Ritsuko Nasu is perfect for a wide range of settings – from recitals to weddings to church services to business functions. Several of the trios are playable on just one or two marimbas, making them even more practical.

Genre: Percussion Ensemble | # of Players: 3
Level: Medium-Medium Difficult | Duration: 18:00

Instrumentation
Fugue in G Minor: 1 4-oct marimba, 1 5-oct marimba
Tritsch-Tratsch Polka: 2 4-oct marimbas, 1 5-oct marimba
Pizzicato Polka: 1 5-oct marimba
Ballet of the Unhatched Chicks: 2 4-oct marimbas
Humoreske: 1 4-oct marimba, 1 4.3-oct marimba, 1 5-oct marimba
Danza Ritual del Fuego: 2 4-oct marimbas, 1 5-oct marimba

Program Notes
Fugue in G Minor – J.S. Bach
The usage of rolls will depend on the acoustics of the performance venue.
Three performers can play this piece on two marimbas. Players 1 and 3 can perform together on a 5-octave marimba.

Tritsch-Tratsch Polka – Johann Strauss
To achieve the feeling of a fast polka, play the notes shortly.
When playing the melody in octaves, please bring out the higher note.
The third marimba should carefully balance the bass in the left hand and offbeats in the right hand.

Pizzicato Polka – Johann Strauss
All players should use rubber mallets.
Three performers can play on a 5-octave marimba.

Ballet of the Unhatched Chicks – Modest Mussorgsky
All players should use rubber mallets.
Three performers can play this piece on two marimbas. Players 1 and 3 can perform together on one 4-octave marimba.

Humoreske – Antonín Dvorák
Please express peacefulness in the theme and play with passion in the middle section.
When playing chordal accompaniment (ex: measure 25, Marimba 2), bring out the lowest note.

Danza Ritual del Fuego – Manuel de Falla
In de Falla’s ballet music El amor brujo, this piece is played for a scene of dancing at a rite to ward off evil spirits. At the beginning, please set a mysterious atmosphere, imagining a scene in which a bonfire is suddenly lit. When the third marimba plays on a downbeat with a chord, the lowest note should be the loudest.