This work is dedicated to Carlos Garza – composer, keyboardist, tech guru and long-time friend. “Island Spinning” was inspired by a cue from “Seashell and the Clergyman”, an avant-garde French film from the 1920’s – one of many silent film scores Carlos and I worked on together as Silent Orchestra. In this cue the clergyman is holding a spinning island in his hands and the scene has a surreal, floating quality.
NOTE: “Island Spinning” is scored for five players on three marimbas (including one 5-octave) and vibraphone – Marimba 1 and Marimba 4 parts may be played on the same 5-octave marimba. For a different effect, the vibraphone part may be played on a marimba, with the longer notes (dotted quarter notes and above) performed as rolls.
– Rich O’Meara