Gordon Stout - Marimba, composition

Mystic Rites of Flight, 2016. This composition was written for The Tchiki Duo from Lausanne, Switzerland.  They are Nicolas Suter and Jacques Hostettler.  The premiere performance was at KALIMA 2016 in Lausanne.  It was an amazing experience for me, as their playing is magnificent is all respects.  This is a very difficult piece, for two 5.0 marimbas.  I absolutely love this music!!!  Kayboard Percussion Publications..

Tailoring for Two (2013). For marimba duo (two 5.0) Written for my student Taylor Katanick, and premiered by Taylor and myself in 2014 at Ithaca College.  KPP  A really fun duo, requiring two 5.0 marimbas.  Keyboard Percussion Publications.

 Bossaccata (2013).  For marimba duo (two 5.0'), this is a cross between a Bossa and a Toccata.  A difficult work, but it is lively and dance like.  Check it out.  Keyboard Percussion Publications.

Acquiescent Blues (2013).  For marimba and vibraphone.  My very first composition employing vibes in a duo context.  This duo is for EASTHAMA, the mallet duo consisting of Lindsey Eastham and Hiromu Nagahama, who were winners of the Duo Category at the  Southern California International Marimba Compeition in 2013.  Keyboard Percussion Publications,  2016. 

Manhattan Escapades (2012).  Written in 2012 for two marimbas, both needing a 5.0 instrument.  Premiered at Ithaca College in 2014 with Gordon Stout and Kate Burns (Vorel). 
Keyboard Percussion Publications.

Somewhere in Africa There's a Whirlwind (2010).  For two marimbas, both 5.0.  This is an exciting and virtuosic work, written for Marco Schirripa and Sean Gill, who gave the premiere performance and recorded it on Stout’s  CD Welcome to Stoutland. The “whirlwind” portion of the title refers to the fast passage work in the marimba one part. The “Africa” portion of the title refers to the rhythm of the marimba two part, which is in large part based on the African double bell pattern. This work requires mature performers who posses excellent technique and advanced ensemble skills. Check out this performance!  It was recorded at Ithaca College with the great Alex Perialis.  It is really, really great!  These two totally rock this piece!!  Keyboard Percussion Publications.

Skylark Orange Circles (2004).  This work is dedicated to the wonderful Japanese marimba virtuoso, Momoko Kamiya. The music is very dance like in quality, going over and over through mostly the same sequence of harmonies while melodic variations are developed. The melodic ideas become more and more like a bird (or flute) singing as the work progresses. A “skylark” is a bird (lark) that sings as it rises skyward. I sometimes see colors for certain pieces of music, and this music always struck me as having the color of orange associated with it. Therefore, as the music continually dances in a circular and joyful fashion, the “skylark” sings in the orange sky.  Keyboard Percussion Publications. 

Laruci In the Sky (2002). The first word of the title combines the two first names of students of mine at the time - Larissa plus Luci equals Laruci. It was premiered by Gordon Stout and Thomas Burritt at the University of Texas-Austin in April of 2002, and subsequently performed by Leigh Howard Stevens and She-e Wu in Taipei, Taiwan that summer. This is a very difficult work of some 7-8 minutes in length. The music is based on the kind of musical marimba game idea that was prominently used in Rumble Strips (2000), by Gordon Stout. It is fun, happy, crazy, and exciting all at the same time. Laruci In The Sky will be a great showcase for two really good marimbists who like to work together.The recording here is with Gordon and Larissa Venzie, from my CD Welcome to Stoutland.  Keyboard Percussion Publications.

Diptych No. 3 (1989).  This is a two movement composition, the first being largely fast and the second slow. Both movements are based entirely on a single series of chords and the interval of a descending third. I had the distinct pleasure of recording this work with Michael Burritt on his first CD "Perpetual".   Publisher: Ludwig Music.

Triptych (1980).  A work of only moderate difficulty,  The marimba 1 part is for two mallets, and the marimba 2 part for four mallets. This is a lively and fun work, which was derived from sketches of three short solo pieces that I had written. It is excellent for introducing younger marimbists to changing meter rhythms. Keyboard Percussion Publications.