Genesis for solo marimba

Genesis was written as a programmatic piece, depicting the Biblical account of creation using different rhythmic structures as the basis for each section. The form of the work is: Introduction, A B C A’ B’ C’, Chorale, with the Introduction and Chorale being removed from the rhythmic nature of the piece.

The work opens with a slow, sustained section based on the whole-tone scale, creating the impression of the emptiness existing before creation. The first rhythmic section uses five-note groupings to depict the creation of Light. Water is portrayed in the next section using flowing, triplet-based arpeggios. Land emerges from Water by means of metric modulation, shifting to rhythms based on eighth notes. The next three sections are based on the rhythmic structures of the preceding three, but with added complexities. Sun and Moon is related to Light, Fish and Birds is tied closely to Water, and Animals is derived from Land. The final Chorale, set simply in C Major, depicts God’s rest at the end of creation.

Genesis was premiered by the composer in March 1996 at Northern Arizona University.

Genesis was written for 5.0-octave marimba. For performance on a 4.3-octave marimba, play the entire piece 8va with the exception of the bracketed sections (pgs. 4-5) that should be performed in the octave written.