Everyone who is prepared to listen, has experienced the profound effect of rhythm. This effect is created by the drummer and fascinates Wieland Schreiber as well as it does other percussionist. Because he started his musical education on the piano, he soon discovered his love for the vibraphone and, in particular, for the marimbaphone. These instruments integrate rhythm as well as melody and harmony like no other instrument in a unique way! And the marimba in particular, due to its tonal range, offers self-accompanymet. It is a solo instrument although in its South American home, it is always played in an ensemble. Thus, vibes and marimba are the main instruments on the CD "upstroke", released in 1995.
Here you can find pieces such as the "Concerto for Marimba and Orchestra" by Robert Kurka. The Concerto needs to be highlighted. Written in 1956, this is the first recording in the original orchestral version (realized together with members of the Krakow Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Stanislav Welanyk). A tonal piece that can be described as moderately modern. Chromatic and dissonant impulses deliver different colours without tension or solution tendencies. Memories of Bartok's neo-classical phases (1st and 2nd movements) and Strawinsky's (3rd movement) can be heard, until during the 3rd movement, due to the charming plays on the major and minor third's, the rhythms of jazz elements become recognizable. This piece is similar to the sonata form, however, the contrasting themes are not treated in a classical way. While in the first movements a dialogue takes place between marimba and orchestra, during the last movement, the marimba's virtuosity dominates. At the beginning, the orchestra presents the first theme, whilst playing a mainly accompanying role later on.
Concerto for Marimba And Orchestra
"Black Clouds for Vibraphone Solo". In this musical staging of a natural phenomenon, one gains the impression of a wheather change passing before the mind's eye in the form of a quiet tone series. Clouds begin to gather, the atmosphere starts to vibrate until the tension explodes with lightening and loud thunder. After a brief shower, however, and one more thunderclap, the sky begins to clear. Suddenly......, a ray of sunshine and a surprising c-minor triad! An acoustical spectrum fades quietly away like dew drops falling from the leaves.
Black Clouds for Vibraphone
The CD "upstroke" also contains own compositions such as "InEs". This piece is based on a 5/4 funky pattern in the key of Eb Dorian mode. "InEs" is a woman's christian name; a play on words! "in Es" also means: Eb in German. Ines now lives in Baden-Baden.
"Wohin gehst Du?" (Where Do You Go?) The piece reflects a decicive turning point in the composers life. Processess of learning and personal experiences also uncovered new elements of music to him. Tonal fragments were melted in with meditative music.
Wohin gehst Du? (Where Do You Go?)
The "Two Intermezzi for 6 Cymbals" is a piece paying homage to Cymbals! In this piece they unfold their full sound and accustic spectrum. While the first intermezzo is mainly free, the second movement is in strict 4/4 time, being accompanied only by an Ostinato in the form of small bells attached to the players ankles.
More details to these pieces can be found at the compositions
The CD is available here for 12,99 Euro including dispatch in Europe. In the US "upstroke" is available at Steve Weiss Music (www.steveweissmusic.com)
