Tensions for Marimba and Tape - 6 Min.; für 5- oder 4.3-Oktav-Marimba; schwer

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Exploring the confluence of electronic dance music and classical marimba styles, Tensions is an intense and virtuosic marimba solo with tape backing. The tape draws from the sonic worlds of various EDM genres such as jungle, drum and bass, break beats, trance, and house, whilst also taking some influence from jazz fusion styles.

The piece is inspired by the duality of tensions and releases that pervade all music forms: be it in the cadences of Western classical symphonies or in the build-ups and beat drops of modern EDM. In some ways, these tensions and releases can furthermore reflect the peaks and troughs of our own life experiences.

Since the balance between soloist and tape varies greatly depending on the room played in and the technology used, the written dynamics should be used less as an indicator of volume but more so as an indicator of energy, character, and colour. This piece is also possible on a 4.3-octave marimba—ossia bars have been provided during these moments.

Joey Eng