Tyson-Vagabond of Light (SP)-B/V/M

Vagabond of Light by Blake Tyson is a trio scored for 4.3 octave marimba, vibraphone, and glockenspiel. This piece was inspired by the image of fireflies transforming a dark forest into a warm, glowing expanse of lights. This trio was written for the Caixa Trio and premiered at the Oklahoma Day of Percussion in Jenks, Oklahoma in April 2013.

From the composer:

"When Julie Hill and I began talking about a new piece for the Caixa Trio, I mentioned the idea of fireflies. She told me, coincidentally, that her favorite word in Portuguese is "vagalume," which means firefly, and literally translated is, "vagabond of light." I knew right away that it was the perfect title for the piece.

The imagery of transformation in Vagabond of Light symbolizes something more. Not long ago, I suddenly faced the very real possibility of losing the one person who, since I was eighteen, I couldn't imagine my life without. There are many emotions that flood over you when a loved one faces serious illness — fear, anger, desperation, sadness, and a hundred others. But, this piece isn't about that experience. Instead, it is about coming out on the other side of it."