Star-Fall Dances

Star-Fall Dances is a wonderfully challenging and showy addition to the repertoire. The single-movement work consists of an introduction and four distinct sections, connected by transitions. Much of the piece is based on ostinato technique, the continuous repetition of musical material. The marimbist is asked to play “rim shots,” on and off the nodes, with the shafts of the mallets, and independent rolls. Virtuosic technique is a must for both performers in this piece.

Genre: Duet for Bb Clarinet & Marimba | # of Players: 2
Level: Difficult | Duration: 18:45

Instrumentation
B-flat Clarinet
Marimba (5-octave)

Program Notes
Composed for marimbist Michael Burritt and clarinetist Dennis Nygren, Star-Fall Dances is a wonderfully challenging and showy addition to the repertoire. The single-movement work consists of an introduction and four distinct sections, connected by transitions. Much of the piece is based on ostinato technique, the continuous repetition of musical material. The marimbist is asked to play “rim shots,” on and off the nodes, with the shafts of the mallets, and independent rolls. Virtuosic technique is a must for both performers in this piece. You can hear a recording of Star-Fall Dances on Michael Burritt’s CD, “Shadow Chasers” (also available from C. Alan).