ToccataFugue

ToccataFugue is a virtuosic showpiece for the vibraphonist featuring a mixture of figurative passage-work along with complex contrapuntal writing. The fugue is merged with (imbedded into) the body of the toccata.

Program Notes

ToccataFugue is a virtuoso showpiece for the vibraphonist featuring a mixture of figurative passage-work along with complex contrapuntal writing. The fugue is merged with, imbedded into, the body of the toccata. The fugue subject itself is also imbedded into the texture of the countersubjects and does not appear in its simplest form until the coda.

Each measure of the toccata is considered as a discrete unique event; placing each on a separate line emphasized that structure and should aid the performer in learning the music. There is no break between measures or pages; a page-turner is suggested. Pedaling is left to the discretion of the performer; blending of patterns is inevitable and to be desired, although the melodic passages should be played as cleanly as possible.

Grade Level: 4
Copyright: 1991
Number of Players: 1
Duration: 5:00

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Sample PDF

Instrumentation

Vibraphone (3-octave)