Big Springs was written by Michal Brauhn Damm in memory of her grandmother, Peggy Davidson. The piece follows a carefully-crafted musical journey through memories of a loved one, touching on feelings of grief and fond reflection.
The work opens with cascading 16th note lines between the players, depicting the running water at the entrance to Brauhn’s grandparents’ farm. This builds into numerous musical ideas based around folk music, evoking an idyllic landscape. Most notably, after shifting into a fast 6/8, the Marimba 1 part contains an extended improvisational section before calmly ending the piece with a recap of earlier ideas. This work is a touching display of synergy and musical control for two intermediate-advanced marimbists, sure to be loved by audiences at any recital!
Big Springs ships as a printed, professionally bound score, and includes individual parts in PDF format for printing or tablet viewing.
- 2 marimbas — (1) 4-octave, (1) 5-octave
Reviews
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Joe Millea –
“Big Springs” was written by Michal Brauhn Damm in memory of her grandmother, Peggy Davidson. The piece follows a carefully crafted musical journey through memories of a loved one, touching on feelings of grief and fond reflection. After a terrific opening of sixteenth notes hocketed between players, a lovely slower section, where players establish the main rhythmic theme, builds into the main groove section. A switch to 6/8 offers the first player an opportunity to improvise before recapping the main theme at the end.
This piece requires a great understanding of ensemble balance and control over articulations, specifically tenuto, as well as timing and ensemble control to handle the transition points. This is an excellent addition to the marimba duo repertoire. Compositionally, it is extremely well thought-out and well-paced. It would be great for a senior recital and above, and it is sure to please any audience.