Irrelevant (Solo 4-Mallet Marimba)

Focused around a five-note, left-hand ostinato pattern which threads its way through the entire work, this composition is typified by repetitious rhythmic patterns. Contrast is achieved through variations in texture, range, and harmonic structure. The piece incorporates a great deal of hand independence, including several cross-rhythmic sections and is filled with rhythmic imagination within the repetitious patterning.

Genre: Marimba (4-mallet) | # of Players: 1
Level: Medium | Duration: 4:50

Instrumentation
Marimba (4.3-octave)

Program Notes
A winner in the ASCAP Young Composers Competition in 1995, Irrelevant is written in a minimalistic style and maintains continuity throughout the piece with the use of several relative and parallel keys. The work explores several idiomatic techniques for four-mallet marimba performance, including double vertical strokes, rapidly moving double lateral strokes, and four-mallet chordal rolls. Focused around a five-note, left-hand ostinato pattern which threads its way through the entire work, this composition is typified by repetitious rhythmic patterns. Contrast is achieved through variations in texture, range, and harmonic structure. The piece incorporates a great deal of hand independence, including several cross-rhythmic sections and is filled with rhythmic imagination within the repetitious patterning. Irrelevant was premiered by the composer in 1994.

In this 2nd edition, subtle but significant changes have been made to improve this piece from the performer’s perspective. Several dynamic indications have been added or improved, metric modulations have been clarified, and metronome markings have been added. The note size has been increased and the overall layout has been notably improved. Several sticking indications have also been added. It is our intent to insure that this award winning work is not only an audience favorite, but also a pleasure to prepare for any performer.