Collapse

Collapse is a challenging, programmatic work for marimba inspired by a dark, heartbreaking play titled "Marybeth."

Program Notes

<b.Collapse is based on a play entitled Marybeth by Hayley Pugh, set in Colonial America. The play follows the story of a young girl, Marybeth, whose friend Elizabeth-Ann frames her for witchcraft when their other friend Dickon tragically dies while playing by the river. Elizabeth-Ann's father is the reverend of the town, and he sends for Lucas Lincher, a witch hunter from across the bay, to "take care" of Marybeth. It is the job of Martha, Marybeth's mother, to try to keep Marybeth calm and safe. Scott, Martha's unexplained love interest from across town, does his best as well to protect Martha and her daughter. When Lucas inevitably arrives, Martha makes the ultimate sacrifice to save her daughter, much to the dismay of Scott and Marybeth. She takes responsibility for the "witchcraft" that supposedly killed Dickon and is lead away to her own unfortunate death. The play ends with Marybeth sprinting out the door after her mother, and with Scott left alone in shambles over the loss.

The piece uses a number of motives representing each character, different relationships, and overall atmosphere of the play, and is very programmatic. It is through-composed and meant to be played as a story. It requires multiple difficult single alternating techniques, and it is advised that the waltz section (m. 119) uses single alternating strokes crossing over themselves in the RH to achieve a faster speed while staying relaxed and comfortable (a 4-3-4-3 repeating sticking). Stickings are intentionally excluded, however, as the piece can be played largely at the discretion of the performer, and interpretation is encouraged.

Grade Level: 4
Copyright: 2016
Number of Players: 1
Duration: 6:30
Publisher: C. Alan Publications
Category: Solo Works

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Instrumentation

Solo Marimba (5-octave)