Night and Fugue

“I have ... a terrible need ... shall I say the word? ... of religion. Then I go out at night and paint the stars.” ~ Vincent van Gogh Night and Fugue for Marimba (alone) is my first original piece for solo marimba. Composing any solo piece always presents unique challenges and limitations, which is probably why I had avoided doing it for so long. In confronting these challenges, I strove to avoid many of the stereotypes of the solo marimba literature: there are no quasi-minimalist, repeating grooves. Night and Fugue represents a conscious effort to expand not just the technical and polyphonic capabilities of the instrument, but its emotional breadth as well. The piece is – like most of my music – about everything and nothing. It is a reflection on loneliness. It is an exploration of life and musical process. So basically, it’s a love song. ~ B.P.