Harpsichord concerti were written throughout the Baroque era, particularly by J.S. Bach. However, this Allegro from Bach's Concerto for 4 Harpsichords and Strings (BWV 1065) is based on Vivaldi's Concerto for 4 Violins in B minor (RV 580). For one composer to borrow material from another during Bach's time was considered a flattering gesture.
Mallet instruments have much in common with the attack and decay properties of harpsichords, making arrangements such as this a natural choice. Brian Slawson's orchestrations bring this piece to life, and it will make an excellent addition to the repertoire of any percussion ensemble wishing to highlight a Baroque selection for mallet instruments.
This arrangement of Concerto in A Minor has been heard worldwide on the popular CD Bach on Wood, which helped garner Brian Slawson a Grammy nomination for Best New Classical Artist.
This piece comes as a professionally printed and bound score and includes individual parts in PDF format for printing or for tablet viewing.
*Two marimba players can also share a low A marimba if instruments are limited.
