“Ensoñación” (Spanish for “reverie”) is a work for solo marimba in the style of a 19th-century Puerto Rican danza. Throughout the piece’s five-minute performance time, composer Juan Álamo produces a comfortable dance feel with pleasing harmonies that will leave a smile on the listener’s face. There is a melody-with-accompaniment texture throughout, with clear-cut repeating formal sections like other similar dance forms. The opening presents a simple melody and bass line, introducing the harmonic basis for the piece, but each subsequent section adds a new element of complexity or technical challenge. Both hands are constantly moving, with many extended passages of sixteenth notes in a single hand, including instances of a quasi-Alberti bass in the left, where the player must constantly alternate mallets. Much of the work feels pianistic, but still idiomatic on marimba. The tempo is not terribly fast, but these technical challenges make achieving the right style and feel more difficult (though Álamo’s beautiful recording of this solo makes it sound easy). “Ensoñación” is a lovely addition to the marimba repertoire, as pleasing to the ears as it is challenging. Since the lowest note in the piece is a G, it is also playable without a 5-octave marimba, which is a nice bonus. This work is suitable for a solid university student who can take full advantage of the composer’s flowing and musical style.

Percussive Arts Society
127 E. Michigan St. #600
Indianapolis, IN 46204
T: (317) 974-4488
F: (317) 974-4499
E: percarts@pas.org

Rhythm! Discovery Center
Temporarily Closed while
establishing new location.
See our collection online!

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Percussive Arts Society
127 E. Michigan St. #600
Indianapolis, IN 46204
T: (317) 974-4488
F: (317) 974-4499
E: percarts@pas.org

Rhythm! Discovery Center
Temporarily Closed while
establishing new location.
See our collection online!

#PASIC50

Percussive Arts Society
127 E. Michigan St. #600
Indianapolis, IN 46204
T: (317) 974-4488
F: (317) 974-4499
E: percarts@pas.org


Rhythm! Discovery Center

PASIC

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