Euphoria Variations (Solo 4-Mallet Marimba)

Euphoria Variations is a work for marimba inspired by the rhythmic language of Argentine composer Alejandro Viñao, who composed two “variation” sets for marimba largely structured around rhythmic iteration. It is intended to explore the prevalent mental challenges facing much of the younger generations of the country.

Genre: Marimba (4-mallet) | # of Players: 1
Series: N/A
Level: Medium Advanced | Duration: 6:50

Instrumentation
Marimba (5-octave)

Program Notes
Euphoria Variations is a work for marimba inspired by the rhythmic language of Argentine composer Alejandro Viñao, who composed two “variation” sets for marimba largely structured around rhythmic iteration. The harmonic language of this piece was constructed separately as an exploration of declining mental health in the younger generations of the population of the United States. Beautiful consonant soundscapes are frequently deconstructed into moments of controlled chaos, or often unleashed into indiscernible excitement. Euphoria Variations is intended to be a communication of that internal struggle to the listener: a translation of mental health issues in a digestible yet complex musical design.

Euphoria Variations was edited by the composer and republished with C. Alan Publications in 2024.

Performed by Adam DiPersio (James Madison University)