New album: DIVERTIMENTI — Marimba Alive! vol.2

The new album DIVERTIMENTI — Marimba Alive! vol.2 has been released. This is a live recording of the concert held on 5 July 1997, featuring two divertimentos by Kazuhiko Koyama and Seiji Yokoyama.Apple Music, Google Play Music, Amazon and other services offer the digital edition.¹

Apart from Bach, the programme consists entirely of music written for the marimba in the second half of the twentieth century.

Ingolf Henning: Concorso (1990)

Ingolf Henning (1931–2017) was a German composer. Concorso is a sensitively conceived work for two marimbas in three-part A–B–A form. In the A sections, shifting accents propel continuous eighth-note passages, framing a middle section with an appealing melody that has a somewhat Japanese character.
Marimbas: 小田もゆる and Junko Sakimura

• [1] Concorso

Kazuhiko Koyama: Divertimento for Marimba (1996)

Kazuhiko Koyama (born 1964) is a Japanese composer whose output includes large-scale works such as symphonies and a piano concerto. This multi-movement Divertimento² was written for marimba. Koyama consulted Junko Sakimura about marimba techniques during its composition, helping make it particularly idiomatic for the instrument. The complete work has five movements; this recital includes movements 1, 2, 3 and 5. Marimba: Junko Sakimura.

• [2] I. Moderato Giocoso
• [3] II. Con Moto
• [4] III. Moderato
• [5] V. Presto

J. B. Smith: In Light of Three

J. B. Smith is an American composer who has written many works for marimba. In Light of Three has two movements: a lyrical first movement and a second in a funk-like style with changing metres. It was originally written for clarinet, marimba and tape. In this performance, alto saxophone replaces the clarinet; the marimba part is played by the right hand, and the tape part by the left.
Saxophone: 金田直樹; marimba: Junko Sakimura

• [6] I. Freely
• [7] II. Allegro

J. S. Bach: Suite No.2 in D minor for unaccompanied cello, BWV1008

J. S. Bach (1685–1750) probably wrote the cello suites between 1717 and 1723, while serving as Kapellmeister in Köthen. As the marimba's range overlaps that of the cello, this work is also often played on marimba. This performance brings out qualities different from those heard on the cello.³ Marimba: 小田もゆる.

• [8] I. Prelude
• [9] II. Allemande
• [10] III. Courante
• [11] IV. Sarabande
• [12] V. Menuet
• [13] VI. Gigue

Alice Gomez and Marilyn Rife: Rain Dance

Alice Gomez (born 1960) is an American composer and percussionist whose music, influenced by Latin American and indigenous Mexican traditions, has attracted international attention. Rife was then a percussionist with the San Antonio Symphony and taught at institutions including St. Mary's University. Together they wrote several works for marimba.

Rain Dance, for four mallets, has been played by many marimbists for its enchanting melody.

• [14] Rain Dance

Seiji Yokoyama: Divertimento for Two Marimbas (1974)

Seiji Yokoyama (1935–2017) was a Japanese composer known for the soundtracks to Space Pirate Captain Harlock and Saint Seiya.

Divertimento for Two Marimbas (1974) was commissioned by Tomoko Kusakari and Mutsuko Fujii. It consists of three movements: Allegretto, Andante and Allegro.

• [15] I. Allegretto
• [16] II. Andante
• [17] III. Allegro