Four Fantasies for solo Marimba Volume 2 by Robert Oetomo

Composed between 2012 and 2014, Four Fantasies (vol. 2) for Solo is a continuation of the first volume of Four Fantasies. Similar to the first volume, this is a collection of improvisations inspired by emotions or events indicated by the title. Most of them comprise of two contrasting themes.  

Fantasy No. 5: As the Snow Falls was conceived in 2012 and completed two years later. As the name suggests, this fantasy was composed upon seeing snowfall for the first time. I will never forget the feeling I experienced from seeing snowfall for the first time; the warmth and cosiness I felt whilst the snow fell down and how quickly everything became white.  

The inspiration behind Fantasy No. 6: A Little Angel’s Prayer was the sudden illness of a colleague’s father. This fantasy was written to express not only my empathy but also positivity and hope for his quick recovery during this challenging time.  

The title of Fantasy No. 7 (Finale) refers to an especially difficult ending of a long phase in my life whilst living away from home. The feeling of hopelessness without end is depicted through a continuous and repeated ascending motif in the theme, which does not resolve but instead reiterates with slight variation, creating a false sense of hope.

The last fantasy was composed almost one year after the previous fantasy. I waited for a special occasion to arise in order to inspire this last fantasy; the approach of one of my percussion teacher’s birthday, which happened to coincide with the conclusion of my time living in Germany. This was the last piece I wrote during my time living away from home for two and a half years.  

As a gesture of my enormous gratitude towards Professor Dennis Kuhn for his generous and invaluable imparted wisdom, Fantasy No. 8: Luisa’s Dream is dedicated to him.