Marimba concerto
A marimba concerto is a musical composition written for a marimba
soloist and a large ensemble such as an orchestra, wind band, or a chamber music ensemble.
Notable Marimba Concertos
The first solo marimba concerto, Concertino for Marimba, was composed by Paul Creston in 1940. Paul Creston was commissioned by Frédérique Petrides to compose this work. The Concertino for Marimba was premiered on 29 April 1940 in the Carnegie Chamber Music Hall with marimba soloist Ruth Stuber Jeanne and the Orchestrette Classique directed by Frédérique Petrides.Marimbist Vida Chenoweth and the Orchestra of America premiered Concerto for Marimba and Orchestra, Op. 34, by Robert Kurka on 11 November 1959. This performance marked the first time that the marimba was invited to Carnegie Hall.
The Boston Symphony Orchestra commissioned Maurice Wright to compose Concertpiece, for marimba and orchestra. The piece was composed in 1993 and premiered in 1994 by percussionist Will Hudgins.
The Oregon Symphony Orchestra commissioned Tomáš Svoboda to compose Concerto for Marimba and Orchestra, Op. 148, in 1995, which it recorded in 2003, conducted by James DePreist and with Niel DePonte on marimba. The recording was nominated for the 2003 Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Soloist Performance.
List of marimba concertos
Following is a partial list of marimba concertos.| Composer | Life | Concerto name | Date composed | Grade level or difficulty |
| Concerto for Marimba and Orchestra | ||||
| Testament: Symphony for Marimba and Orchestra | 2004 | |||
| Concerto for Marimba and Orchestra | 2003 | |||
| 1960– | Concerto for Marimba and Orchestra | Advanced | ||
| 1914–2006 | Lauda concertata for marimba and orchestra | 1979 | ||
| Concerto for Marimba | Medium / advanced | |||
| Concerto for Marimba and Orchestra, No. 2 | 2008 | Advanced | ||
| 1906–1985 | Concertino for Marimba | 1940 | 6 | |
| 1927– | Concerto in One Movement for Marimba and Orchestra | |||
| 1954– | Concerto for Marimba | 1999 | 5+ | |
| 1967– | Concerto for Marimba and Orchestra | 1994 | ||
| 1997– | Marimba Concerto | 2015 | ||
| 1921–1957 | Concerto for Marimba and Orchestra, Op. 34 | 1959 | ||
| 1943– | Concerto for Marimba and Orchestra | 1985 | ||
| Marimba Concerto: After Hampton | 1992 | |||
| 1950– | Concerto for Marimba & Concert Piece for Marimba and Orchestra | Difficult | ||
| 1971– | ...of weaving the shadowed waves for two marimbas and chamber orchestra | 2003 | ||
| 1944– | gdm for amplified marimba and orchestra | 2006 | ||
| Marimba Concerto | ||||
| 1994– | Concerto for Marimba and Orchestra | 2016 | ||
| Waterfalls for Marimba and Orchestra | ||||
| 1939– | Concerto for Marimba and Orchestra, Op. 148 | 1995 | ||
| 1982– | Concerto No. 1 in D minor | 2003 | ||
| 1939– | Loving Mad Tom | 2002 | ||
| Rhythms of Life | 2005 | |||
| Concerto for Marimba and String Orchestra | 1996 | |||
| Marimba Concerto: Road Business | 2019 | |||
| Double Concerto for Vibraphone, Marimba and Orchestra | 2012 | |||
| Concerto for Marimba and String Orchestra | 2005 | |||
| Concerto No. 1 for Marimba and String Orchestra | 1986 | Advanced | ||
| Concerto No. 2 for Marimba and String Orchestra | 2001 | Advanced |