Debussy-Two Arabesques arr. Weatherson (SP)-V/M

Originally written for piano solo, the Two Arabesques (L. 66) by Claude Debussy was composed between the years of 1888-1891. Here it is presented as a duo between vibraphone and marimba (5 octave). While the vibraphones sustain pedal is well suited to sustained melodic or arpeggiated lines from the piano original, and the bass range of the 5 octave marimba more suited to play the lower register of the piano, this arrangement utilizes the different timbres of each instrument to share the melodic and accompaniment material equally.

The Première Arabesque (Andantino con moto) flows freely and smoothly from one sonority to the next with long arpeggiated lines moving up and down the instruments. The Deuxieme Arabesque (Allegretto Scherzando) is, as the tempo indicates, a faster and more playful movement with a more rhythmic feel, the staccato touch of each instrument contrasting with the sustained sounds of the previous movement.

Number of players: 2
Difficulty: Intermediate

Instrumentation

Player 1: Vibraphone
Player 2: Marimba (5 octave)