The VIBRAPHONE of all things...

[mahler10th]

I am coming into some connection with listening to music which features the Vibraphone, though I am not sure where to start.  One things is for sure, it can make truly magical sounds in an orchestra.  Any vibraphonist suggestions?

[Karl Henning]

A piece by Henning, Murmur of Many Waters.

[madaboutmahler]

I'm glad we share a love of the vibraphone, John! I use it a lot in my own orchestral works. I just love the mystery but beauty the resonance from it gives. Haunting! Or without the pedal, it can sound particularly fun and agile! It's great fun to play as well.

Leifs wrote a piece called 'Fine II' for vibraphone and strings, in which the vibraphone is only used for around 4 notes in a 6 minute piece, but very effective. Bernstein also used it a lot I think, especially in the Symphonic Dances. I will keep thinking

[Cato]

Howdy, thar, Laddie!

Try this on for size:

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And if you are after other unusual instruments in a concerto, there is always the Harmonica Concerto by Alexander Tcherepnin!

[Lisztianwagner]

Berg used vibraphone in the Lulu-Suite.

[Mirror Image]

Carl Vine's Symphony No. 5 "Percussion Symphony" used vibraphone as did his Oboe Concerto.

[Dax]

Korngold violin concerto

Bryars - Les fiancailles

Grainger - quite a lot: the champion of tuned percussion in fact

[dyn]

The Modern Jazz Quartet should give a pretty good idea of the instrument's potential & capabilities. It's got drums, sure, but it's practically classical anyway

[listener]

a Deagan - No.145 is specified in the score for CARPENTER's Sea Drift, which I shall listen to now.

[mahler10th]

Thank you all for the suggestions.  I will look into them all.   0:)

[DaveF]

I don't have the score, but that's surely one at the end of the slow movement of Shostakovich 15.

[listener]

I don't have the score, but that's surely one at the end of the slow movement of Shostakovich 15.

Yes, listed in the instrumentation, I see it at the Adagio marking (cue 76 +4) for 22 bars
It's listed also in the instrumentation for TIPPETT Symphonies 3 & 4, and VAUGHAN WILLIAMS 7 & 8

[MishaK]

A few Messiaen works come to mind:

Trois petites liturgies de la présence divine

Turangalila Symphony

La Transfiguration de notre seigneur Jésus

Saint Francois d'Assise

The liturgies in particular is noted for its original use of the instrument rather than as mere coloration.

[mahler10th]

A few Messiaen works come to mind:

Trois petites liturgies de la présence divine

Turangalila Symphony

La Transfiguration de notre seigneur Jésus

Saint Francois d'Assise

The liturgies in particular is noted for its original use of the instrument rather than as mere coloration.

This is interesting.  I am not a friend of Messiaen, but I do have the Turangalila and the Transfiguration, so I will most definitely have a listen to them again.  Also Stockhausen suggestions, with whom I will be even more surprised if the music and I meet each other.  How fascinating this will be...etc...