Minimal Rondeau
This original work is very creative and a lovely example of 20th-century 'classical' repertoire. It is mostly Rung throughout and features expressive dynamics. In lieu of using LV, it is suggested that groups use the Delay Damp (DD) technique to create the expressive legato phrases throughout. The marimba is the constant in this score and together, bells and marimba create an amazing fresh new work your group and audience will enjoy!
A paraphrase of the composer's inspiration behind "Minimal Rondeau": "In elementary school my first musical training was through the Orff Method, playing the xylophones, metallophones, and glockenspiels. When I was about 8 years old, I watched Masterpiece Theatre with my Mom on PBS and loved the musical theme – an excerpt from Jean-Joseph Mouret's Rondeau. When developing the melodic ideas for this minimalist piece, the sixteenth notes proved to be far too demanding for handbells, so I gave the rhythmic drive to a composer classmate who excelled at the marimba. This piece of music started to take shape and featured trading off ideas between the handbells and the marimba, incorporating a loose Rondo form (ABACAD) to add more variety to the minimalist style. In honor of my very early musical training from Orff and PBS, I named this piece "Minimal Rondeau" with Mouret's French spelling." (Preview the full score to read Parsons' complete explanation).