Night Songs by Gene Fambrough

Night Songs is a two-movement, unaccompanied, four-mallet marimba solo that lasts approximately seven minutes. The first movement, “…until we meet again,” is a chorale that uses unique, yet appealing progressions that move between the minor and major modes. The opening monophonic line is used in several instances to create different textures and unity within this movement. The second movement, “The inward eye,” is based off of one sixteenth-note sticking pattern, 4312 3421. This sticking is used throughout the piece and helps spell out the chord progressions and melody line in mallet number 4. Syncopations, double stops in the right hand, and a brief chordal interlude help break the monotony of the permutations. The performer is required to play this sticking pattern using many different intervals. The piece comes to a calm ending using material from the first movement. – Brian Zator Percussive Notes, April 2006