Brain/Bravo Music started selling my work "Miyabi" around 10 years ago when I was just beginning my journey as a composer. Upon its initial release, some questioned whether the single-marimba piece would be sufficient. However, in today's well-established performance styles, "Miyabi" has become a marimba standard. I am grateful that it has been performed by elementary school students, adults, professional musicians, and players around the world.
Over the past few years, I've received numerous requests for a new piece. In contrast to the simple and functional 4-octave version, the 5-octave version sounds gorgeous. While the sound is undoubtedly richer, the expanded range brings a broader spectrum of performance expressions and fresh perspectives.
(Hiroaki Kataoka)
Performance Notes
Marimba III, at the beginning of the piece, represents the festival music of Japanese drums. Be aware of this rhythm, as it appears throughout the piece. In some parts, arms may cross each other, so pay attention to footwork when the tempo is fast and you can express each note with smoother movements.
Since Marimba II plays the dual role of melody and accompaniment from low to high, the choice of mallets is important. Try various mallets to find the best-suited one.
By choosing a style appropriate for each scene, the performance will be even more colorful. At G, a beat is suggested, but perform the music on free intonation and respect the marimba's beautiful tone. Also, since the motion (formation) of the performers changes here, why don't you try a visual approach? The ending requires a high level of technique because of the fast tempo and the accel., but you have to keep the momentum going and play with a sense of unity.
(Hiroaki Kataoka)
