Polar Night by Erik Texter

Polar Night by Erik Texter is a medium-level percussion quartet beaming with unique colors and musical textures. The piece draws inspiration from the world’s northernmost settlement, Longyearbyen, Norway, which is known for its views of the beautiful northern lights and long polar nights. Throughout the piece, Texter emulates the stark and frozen landscape through icy and shimmering vibraphone textures, earthy tuned wooden slats, and warm marimba passages.

The piece begins with delicate and fluttering vibraphone textures performed with cardboard dowels and later transitions to bows for increased sustain. Texter then infuses tuned wooden slats and the marimba slowly before a modern groove section takes over the piece. The work closes with a reprise of the opening vibraphone played with cardboard dowel texture.

Polar Night requires one 5-octave marimba and a 4-octave vibraphone, if available.