“Prelude No. 2”
by Ney Rosauro
MARIMBA LITERATURE LIBRARY / GRADE 4
PERFORMED BY ELIZABETH VAN WIRT
MALLETS USED IN THIS ETUDE INCLUDE:
Virtuoso Series
Designed for the solo marimba performer, the Virtuoso Series features a rubber core wrapped with a wool blend yarn for an especially warm and full-bodied sound. The 17″ handles are made of birch with a unique slip-resistant finish for excellent feel and enhanced control. A fine choice in ensemble settings as well!
ABOUT THE PIECE
Three Preludes for Solo Marimba was some of composer Ney Rosauro’s very first compositions for marimba. They are some of the most beautiful pieces of the marimba literature. Anyone preparing to play Rosauro’s first marimba concerto should play and study these preludes, as they are a great introduction to Rosauro’s composition style and feel. Each prelude is based on a different theme: #1 is based on a spanish flamenco theme, #2 is based on a Brazilian theme in the style of Villa Lobos’ guitar pieces, and #3 is roll-based in a choral style, with some intricacies in the middle.
From Ney:
The Preludes are among my earliest compositions for marimba and I always advice students to play them before they attempt to play the first marimba concerto, as the style and technique used in the preludes is further extended in the Concerto.
PRELUDE No.1 for solo marimba was originally written for guitar, explaining the harmonies from flamenco music, as well as the Spanish mood of the work. The marimba version was completed in 1983 and is dedicated to Rose Braunstein. Throughout its three themes, the spirit of the Spanish music can be felt, and the fingerings of guitar arpeggios are suggested in the third theme.
PRELUDE No.2 was written as an homage to the great Brazilian composer Heitor Villa Lobos, who continues to serve as my main inspiration and motive for writing music with Brazilian roots. The first theme is a tribute to the master, and the second and third themes are based on melodic sequences that are characteristic of the Bachianas Brasileiras series of Villa Lobos as well as on diminished chord passages that are common in his works for guitar.
PRELUDE No.3 was written in 1987, soon after my arrival in Santa Maria, RS, Brazil and is dedicated to my first percussion teacher, Luiz Anunciacao. The introduction and coda are presented with rolls and are in a choral style. In the second part, two new themes are introduced in a fast alternating motion of the mallets, demonstrating the virtuosity through expressive melodies.
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