Whirled Music (for alto saxophone and 5-octave marimba) was commissioned by Translucent Duo (Bernard Lagana & David Lockeridge) for premiere performance at the Australasian Saxophone & Clarinet Conference 2013, presented by the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, Sydney, NSW, Australia.

Scored in three movements (A-B-A), Whirled Music hits the ground running at a speed of around 120 crotchet beats per minute, faster still if the performers let it have its head. Fuelled by a high octane blend of semiquavers and chromaticism, the music shifts through gears while negotiating twists, turns, dips, climbs and spirals in a virtuosic display of highly energized unison bebop-like arabesques, fast rumba-like grooves and glimpses of clear, delicate lyricism.

During the second movement, the alto saxophone finds itself travelling on a not-too-bumpy, not-too-smooth marimba highway of gently pulsating tuplets, all the while issuing forth a bravura tale which takes us deep into tense, cadenza-like territory and back out again.

The third movement comes to life in musical ‘fits and starts’ before sending us whirling back in time via a shortcut through Movement 1, then on to a brief coda and a race to the finish line.

I warmly thank Translucent Duo for commissioning Whirled Music and giving the work its world premiere performance. I also wish to extend my appreciation to Bernard and David for generously sharing their technical expertise and knowledge of the repertoire.

Matthew Orlovich,
Composer.

Whirled Music (for Eb alto saxophone and 5-octave marimba) performed by Heterodyne Duo, Texas, USA.

WEDNESDAY 17 AUGUST, 2016
Performers: Translucent Duo (Bernard Lagana, saxophone & David Lockeridge, marimba).
Where: Recital Hall East, Sydney Conservatorium of Music, NSW, Australia.

SATURDAY 16 APRIL, 2016 (8pm)
Performers: Katelyn Stessman (sax) and Bryan Hummel (marimba).
Where: Werner Recital Hall, College-Conservatory of Music, University of Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.

SATURDAY 13 JUNE, 2015 ***EUROPEAN PREMIERE***
Performers: Emanuele Dalmaso (sax) and Federico Agnello (marimba).
Where: Contrasti Festival – Trento 2015 @ Sala Fondazione Caritro, via Calepino, Trento, Italia.
Info: MotoContrario

APRIL – MAY 2015
Performers: Translucent Duo (Bernard Lagana, sax; David Lockeridge, marimba).
Where: “In Sync” Regional Tour (New England).

SUNDAY 4 MAY, 2014
Performers: Katie Stessman (alto saxophone) & Bryan Hummel (marimba).
Where: Sheslow Auditorium – 2507 University Ave., Des Moines, IA, 50338, USA.

FRIDAY 28 MARCH, 2014
Performers: Translucent Duo (Bernard Lagana, sax; David Lockeridge, marimba)
Program: A Night of New Australian Music.
Where: Village Church, 122 Johnston Street, Annandale, NSW, Australia.

WEDNESDAY 25 SEPTEMBER, 2013
Performers: Assoc. Prof. James Romain (sax) & Dr Brad Meyer (marimba).
Where: Sheslow Auditorium, Drake University, Des Moines, Iowa, USA.

WEDNESDAY 18 SEPTEMBER, 2013 ***US PREMIERE***
Performers: Heterodyne Duo (Associate Prof. Nathan Nabb, saxophone & Dr Brad Meyer (marimba).
Program: Works by Orlovich, Desantis, Maslanka and Ford.
Where: Cole Concert Hall, Stephen F. Austin State University, 2210 Alumni Drive Nacogdoches, Texas 75962, USA.

SATURDAY 27  – TUESDAY 30 JULY, 2013
Performers: Translucent Duo: Bernard Lagana (sax) & David Lockeridge (marimba).
Where: Regional Tour: Griffith, Young & Wagga Wagga.

FRIDAY 12 JULY, 2013 ***WORLD PREMIERE PERFORMANCE***
Performers: Translucent Duo (Bernard Lagana, saxophone; David Lockeridge, marimba)
Where: 2013 Australasian Saxophone & Clarinet Conference, Sydney Conservatorium of Music, Macquarie St., Sydney, NSW, Australia.