Quarantina (Solo Vibraphone)

Combining the two words "quarantine" and "sonatina," Quarantina captures little moments of escape that I used when playing the vibraphone to drown out the uncertain circumstances of our ever-changing world. It symbolizes how one would feel when gazing upon ripples in a pond as they pondered life’s unanswered questions.

Genre: Solo Vibraphone | # of Players: 1
Series: N/A
Level: Intermediate | Duration: 2:20

Instrumentation
Vibraphone (3-octave)

Program Notes
As its name implies, Quarantina is a play on two words: “Quarantine” and “Sonatina.” Written during the early summer months of the pandemic in 2020, this piece reflects on my personal struggle in quarantine as I learned to readjust my lifestyle. The music captures little moments of escape that I used when playing the vibraphone to drown out the uncertain circumstances of our ever-changing world. It symbolizes how one would feel when gazing upon ripples in a pond as they pondered life’s unanswered questions.

The piece uses a familiar chordal structure that steps down chromatically by use of inversions. This is beautifully intertwined between major and minor tonalities as the music smoothly connects each phrase with a brilliantly memorable melody. Structured like a sonata in ABA form, the music displays a simple but deceivingly challenging performance with spiraling arpeggiated chords and rapid permutated passages. The vibraphone truly acquires a cantabile quality that is sure to elevate any mood.

– J.T.