Reich-Mallet Quartet (StS)-2V/2M

Mallet Quartet by Steve Reich is a quartet scored for two vibraphones and two marimbas (one 5 octave, one 4.5 octave [low F]). This piece is written in three movements: fast, slow, fast. In the two outer fast movements, the marimbas set the harmonic background which remains static. The marimbas interlock in canon and the vibes present the melodic material first solo then in canon. In the central slow movement the texture changes into a thinner more transparent one with very spare use of notes, particularly in the marimbas.

This piece is approximately 15 minutes in duration and was premiered by the Amadinda Quartet in December 2009. Marimba Quartet was co-commissioned by the Amadinda Quartet, Nexus, So Percussion, Synergy Percussion, and Soundstreams.