Hall, Dave: Apocalyptic Etude for Solo Marimba

Apocalyptic Etude for Solo Marimba - 6 Min.; 5-Octave-Marimba, 4 mallets, intermediate

A brilliant fusion of classical and modern idioms and harmonies bring this piece to the forefront of contemporary composition. A virtuostic and technical beast, this piece is a must for the modern marimbist.

Apocalyptic Etude was composed and premiered in the fall of 2009 at the University of North Texas. The title is meant to reflect the predominantly dark harmonies as well as the virtuosic and technical nature of the piece. Like most music I write, this piece is inspired by a combination of composers, most notably Beethoven, Chopin, Thelonious Monk, and Wayne Shorter. Though I don’t purposely try to evoke or quote a specific composer or period, I think the fusion of classical and modern soloistic idioms and harmonies is evident in the piece.
-DH