Rhapsodia

G. Bradley Bodine

General Info

Year: 1999
Duration: c.
Difficulty: (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: G. Bradley Bodine
Cost: Score and Parts - $0.00   |   Score Only - $0.00

Instrumentation

Marimba

Flute

Program Notes

"Rhapsodia" was commissioned by the Blackburn/Lang Duo and was premiered by the duo on March 12, 1999 at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas.

"Rhapsodia" is a Greek word which means "epic poem." The composer chose this Greek form of the word because he wanted the audience to understand that the composition is a poem with many different stanzas. The composition is a poem in the sense that there are rhyming schemes, questions and answers, and contrasting stanzas. Each of the themes represents a new stanza in the poem. New themes are often developed as they unfold. The opening melody is a witty tune that could have come from Pan's flute. Elements of poetry, including rhyme, can be heard in this opening melody.

The fast tempo and motivic construction of the following section are its most obvious characteristics. Fast double tonguing permeates the flautists part during this portion of the piece. After this fast section, a cantabile melody in adagio tempo takes over in the flute with a tremolo counterpoint in the marimba part. A heterophonic (both instruments play the same melody) texture permeates the next stanza of the poem with a complex and free rhythmic structure. Dr. Bodine attributes this use of heterophony to his study of Japanese court music. This heterophonic melody transitions into a very sad and lonely melody in the flute, with a chordal accompaniment played by the marimba.

Eventually, sadness and loneliness are replaced by hope. In the ensuing flute cadenza, the composer emphasizes a struggle between the emotions of hope and sadness. The marimba enters and begins a dialogue. A joyful celtic dance in dorian mode ensues and the flute and marimba unite in a high spirited rhythmic feast. At this point in the piece, the flute and marimba play a rhythmic canon at the interval of a major seventh, each spelling out the letters "I LUV U" in morse code.

A metric modulation leads to the next section of the piece which combines elements of the joyful celtic theme with the witty opening theme. This leads to a marimba cadenza which continues the development of these themes. The flute adds ebullience to the final cadences of the marimba cadenza, leading to a coda with new music based on fast jazz improvisations and punctuated by allusions to the joyful celtic theme.

Recent Performances

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Works for Percussion by this Composer

A Cross On Wood - Marimba
Concerto for Marimba and Chamber Orchestra (Bodine) - Marimba; Orchestra
Concerto for Marimba and Concert Band - Marimba; Band
Desert Songs I - Percussion Duo; Choir
Desert Songs II - Percussion Duo; Choir
Desert Songs III - Percussion Duo; Choir
Kaleidoscope: Concerto for Marimba and Orchestra - Marimba; Orchestra
Namaste: Concerto for Marimba and Percussion Ensemble - Marimba; Percussion Sextet
Rhapsodia - Marimba; Flute
Rhapsody - Multiple Percussion; Horn
Romance - Marimba