Raymond Helble

Raymond Helble (b. Feb. 3, 1949) began his composing at the age of 10 and conducting at 12. Although self-taught in composition, and never having had a private music lesson, he was accepted at Julliard, the Manhattan School of Music and the Eastman School due to his highly developed technique.

Mr. Helble did his undergraduate and graduate studies at Eastman. His teachers included Samuel Adler, Warren Benson, and Joseph Schwantner. His musical education also included conducting studies with Willis Page and Walter Hendle.

Mr. Helble's music is recognized for its technical excellence, distinctive motivic material, contrapuntal dexterity, and highly polished finish, whether he writes in a tonal, modal, atonal, or serial manner.

Due to his long association with Leigh H. Stevens, Helble has produced a large set of works for the marimba that are considered standard repertoire.

From Raymond Helble

Dragon of Wyckham

Available For Rental Only

A concerto for marimba and band.”Dragon” is more atmospheric, featuring a portentous, ominous opening Adagio, and an Allegro that alternates dark drama with dazzling and climactic moments of triumph.

A concerto for marimba and band.”Dragon” is more atmospheric, featuring a portentous, ominous opening Adagio, and an Allegro that alternates dark drama with dazzling and climactic moments of triumph.

Duo Concertante for Vibraphone and Marimba

$26.00

Duo Concertante for Vibraphone and Marimba is a bravura crowd pleaser for two strong players. The style has a baroque flavor, offering players and audiences to hear the materials develop, cross and re-cross parts, and engage in contrapuntal arabesques.

Duo Concertante for Vibraphone and Marimba is a bravura crowd pleaser for two strong players. The style has a baroque flavor, offering players and audiences to hear the materials develop, cross and re-cross parts, and engage in contrapuntal arabesques.

Multum in Parvis

$78.00

Multum in Parvis differs from Helble’s other percussion orchestra works in that most of the material is introduced and developed by membranophones rather than keyboards.

Multum in Parvis differs from Helble’s other percussion orchestra works in that most of the material is introduced and developed by membranophones rather than keyboards.

Passacaglia for Percussion Ensemble

$60.00

A finely crafted work for ten players, featuring two sets of antiphonal timpani. Parts range from very simple bass drum and cymbals, to challenging snare drum, keyboard and timpani. Premiered by the Eastman Percussion Ensemble. Neat manuscript, spiral bound.

A finely crafted work for ten players, featuring two sets of antiphonal timpani. Parts range from very simple bass drum and cymbals, to challenging snare drum, keyboard and timpani. Premiered by the Eastman Percussion Ensemble. Neat manuscript, spiral bound.

Prelude and Rondo alla marcia, Op. 59

$75.00

Prelude and Rondo, commissioned by Texas Christian University and Dr. Brian West for a PASIC performance, is a large and very attractive percussion orchestra work, featuring one of Helble’s most beautiful and hypnotic openings.

Prelude and Rondo, commissioned by Texas Christian University and Dr. Brian West for a PASIC performance, is a large and very attractive percussion orchestra work, featuring one of Helble’s most beautiful and hypnotic openings.

Preludes 10, 11, 12

$10.00

Helble’s marimba output spans more than 25 years. The harmonic material has become more stable, tonal and conservative as the years have passed, but there is always that harmonic twist that sets his tonal language apart.

Helble’s marimba output spans more than 25 years. The harmonic material has become more stable, tonal and conservative as the years have passed, but there is always that harmonic twist that sets his tonal language apart.

Preludes 7, 8, 9

$10.00

Prelude No.7 is a highly chromatic toccata-like piece with a Baroque-like motor rhythm. No.8 is a short but lugubrious treatment of a short, sharp, rhythmic motive. No.9 is a mysterious march that approaches and disappears into the distance.

Prelude No.7 is a highly chromatic toccata-like piece with a Baroque-like motor rhythm. No.8 is a short but lugubrious treatment of a short, sharp, rhythmic motive. No.9 is a mysterious march that approaches and disappears into the distance.

SilverWood

$58.00

SilverWood is a four movement duo sonata for marimba and flute. The two parts are of equal importance, trading and developing materials in a way sure to excite and fascinate the audience. The finale – a fun and tuneful tarantella – could be used as an encore piece.

SilverWood is a four movement duo sonata for marimba and flute. The two parts are of equal importance, trading and developing materials in a way sure to excite and fascinate the audience. The finale – a fun and tuneful tarantella – could be used as an encore piece.

Theme with Six Variations

$10.00

One of Raymond Helble’s many compositional talents is the ability to imitate the style of almost any famous composer. Not only is this set of variations a great way to study the performance style of these composers, the set is also a delightful and slightly humorous treat for the audience. The compositional “slight of hand” is totally convincing.

One of Raymond Helble’s many compositional talents is the ability to imitate the style of almost any famous composer. Not only is this set of variations a great way to study the performance style of these composers, the set is also a delightful and slightly humorous treat for the audience. The compositional “slight of hand” is totally convincing.

Toccata Fantasy

$15.00

The master marimba composer (Preludes, Grand Fantasy, etc.) has written a massive sounding, very difficult tonal solo piece. Toccata Fantasy is full of great tunes, exciting chromatic key changes and clever textures.

The master marimba composer (Preludes, Grand Fantasy, etc.) has written a massive sounding, very difficult tonal solo piece. Toccata Fantasy is full of great tunes, exciting chromatic key changes and clever textures.

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