Velocities (1990) by Joseph Schwantner

This performance described by Mr. Schwantner as "spirited, engaging, and full of energy."

Velocities (1990), subtitled Moto Perpetuo, is a major component of today's solo marimba literature. It was commissioned by the Percussive Arts Society and funded by the National Endowment for the Arts in a Consortium Commission for world-renowned marimbists Leigh Howard Stevens, William Moersch, and Gordon Stout. Its extensive moving lines make this work a challenge for even the most advanced marimbist. Velocities is structured in a single arch-like allegro movement with continuously changing textures and suddenly shifting meters. Rapidly articulated sixteenth notes in four, five, six, and seven note pitch sets develop extensive linear, harmonic, and rhythmic elements of the work. Leigh Howard Stevens gave Velocities its world premiere at the 1990 Percussive Arts Society International Convention in Philadelphia. Schwantner's expertly crafted wind works have also become a staple of today's wind ensemble repertoire.

Program Note by Justin R. Stolarik

-----------------------------------

Part of Dr. Stolarik's University of Texas at Austin DMA 2 Solo Percussion Recital, entitled "An Unconventional 20th Century Retrospective."

Thursday, November 15th, 2007 at 4:30pm in Bates Recital Hall.

My unconventional retrospective concept delivers a wide variety of musical styles of the twentieth-century -- one work from almost every decade. The pieces not originally composed for percussion have been included as a means to demonstrate the contributions by important composers of the century and to expose the listener to the versatility of percussion instruments.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• velocities
• joseph
• schwantner
• marimba
• percussion
• texas
• justin
• stolarik

[drockwilliams]

This is an amazing performance great amount of practice these notes are not easy to hit at all. Are you not using Stevens grip?

[datimpster]

@drockwilliams Burton grip all the way!

[3clipse1326]

@datimpster

I haven't seen such a clean and musical performance of this song since Johan Bridger. I know you played this awhile ago but Bravo! That was great. Hope it has a permanent seat in your repertoire :)

[datimpster]

@3clipse1326 Thank you so much! I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[mastanjb]

Haha! What a great performance! It's total bullshit to see all these people dissing the video. The only relevant rebuttal to this awesome performance (or even this comment) is a video of someone else playing this solo. As for the performer, Bravo Dr. Stolarik. As for the losers, you're losers.

[datimpster]

@mastanjb Much appreciated! It's not perfect, but I like to think I captured the spirit of the piece!

[JahazielakaCurly]

goooOOOoood DAMN. You just friggin walked to the marimba, and without warning "BAADDAAMM!!.....tickatickATIC­KATICKATickaticakBAADDAMM!!!!.­...tickatickATICKATICKATickati­cka" XDXDXD very good

[CaptainYutube]

To my knowledge, Schwantner isn't a particularly great marimbist....

[MERTx123]

My concept of musical difficulty will never be the same after hearing this.

[xFierroKiller2x]

And people say percussion is easy...

[JasonDeCristofaro]

Dude you rock!

[eags4]

This is off the hook.



[datimpster]

@thunderbird5898 Great to see how far you've come with percussion! I do remember you from LMC!