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MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. (March 31, 2010) – Thirty marimba players performing on twenty instruments join forces with the VocalEssence Chorus & Ensemble Singers to perform Gabrieli’s Magnificat á33—a stunning work with 33 individual melodic voices, spread throughout the glorious acoustic of the Cathedral of Saint Paul. Entitled Mallets & Melodies, this event, performed in conjunction with the Marimba 2010 International Festival & Conference, takes place on Friday, April 30, 2010 at 8 pm.
 
Three new works for chorus and marimba will receive their world premieres.VocalEssence ¡Cantaré! program composer Jorge Córdoba will commemorate the Mexican Bicentennial with his new work, “Aquí ha nacido el tiempo,” written for chorus and renowned Mexican marimba ensemble Marimba Nandayapa. Minnesota native Stephen Paulus is creating a new arrangement of his beloved “Pilgrims’ Hymn” for marimba duet and chorus, and is also composing a work entitled “Visions” for marimba quartet and chorus.
 
Tickets for Mallets & Melodies are $20-$40 (Service charges apply. Student tickets are half-price and group discounts are available). For tickets and information, call 612-371-5656 or visit www.vocalessence.org <https://www.vocalessence.org/> . Classical Minnesota Public Radio’s John Birge will host a Pre-Concert Conversation at 7 pm with special guest Fernando Meza.
 
Four generations of Nandayapas comprise the renowned Marimba Nandayapa ensemble, founded by Maestro Zeferino Nandayapa, a native of Chiapa de Corzo, Chiapas. Marimba Nandayapa is the only Mexican marimba group to have performed in New York’s famed Carnegie Hall. They have also performed at the Belgian Percussion Festival, Schleswig Holstein Festival in Germany, the Rhythm Sticks Festival in London, England, and have toured extensively in Denmark, Sweden and Japan. With nearly 70 recordings and acclaimed performances around the world, the group is considered one of the greatest proponents of sharing traditional Mexican music with the world.
 
Many leading marimba artists including Ivana Bilic (Croatia); Angel Frette (Argentina); Nanae Mimura (Japan); Fernando Meza (University of Minnesota); Svet Stoyanov (University of Miami, FL); She-e Wu (Northwestern University); Nancy Zeltsman (Boston Conservatory, Berklee School of Music); and the University of Minnesota Marimba Ensemble and friends are also featured on the performance.
 
The Marimba 2010 International Festival and Conference (April 28-May 1, 2010) brings the world’s most innovative marimba artists together with the Twin Cities’ most distinguished musical organizations for the common purpose of celebrating the marimba around the globe. Artistic partners for the festival include VocalEssence, Minnesota Orchestra, The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, Schubert Club, Southern Theater, University of Minnesota, American Composers Forum, Weisman Art Museum, and Minnesota Public Radio. Marimba 2010 will include recitals, master classes in schools, round-table discussions, and performances with artistic partners at locations throughout the Twin Cities. Additional information about the festival and conference can be found at: http://www.marimba2010.org.
 
For press information and photographs related to Mallets & Melodies, please contact Jennifer Bauer (612-547-1459, jbauer@vocalessence.org).
 
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Mallets & Melodies Performance Repertoire
Program Order
 
Giovanni Gabrieli, Magnificat á33
Arranged by Scott Hirsch for 20 marimbas and chorus
Performed by 30 marimba players and the VocalEssence Chorus & Ensemble Singers

Jorge Córdoba, Aquí ha nacido el tiempo (world premiere)
Composed for Marimba Nandayapa and the VocalEssence Chorus & Ensemble Singers
Based on the poetry of Roberto Moreno
Featuring Marimba Nandayapa (marimba ensemble)
 
Peter Klatzow, Return of the Moon (movements 1, 4 & 5)
Composed for one marimba and chorus
Featuring marimbist Svet Stoyanov and the VocalEssence Ensemble Singers
 
Stephen Paulus, Pilgrims’ Hymn (world premiere)
Arranged by the composer for two marimbas and the VocalEssence Chorus & Ensemble Singers
Featuring marimba players Nanae Mimura and Nancy Zeltsman
 
Samuel Barber, Adagio
Arranged for 20 marimbas by Robert Chappell
Featuring the University of Minnesota Marimba Ensemble and friends
 
Stephen Paulus, Visions (world premiere)
Composed for four marimbas and the VocalEssence Chorus & Ensemble Singers
Featuring marimba players She-e Wu, Ivana Bilic, Angel Frette, and Fernando Meza
 
Eric Sayre, In Paradisum
Featuring the VocalEssence Chorus & Ensemble Singers

Traditional, Bawa, a Dagara Harvest Dance (arranged by Sowah Mensah)
Arranged for chorus and African ensemble
Featuring the African Music Ensemble of Macalester College and the VocalEssence Chorus & Ensemble Singers