Impromptu No. 3 (Schubert) (Download)

arranged for solo vibraphone by August Pappas

August Pappas

Level: Advanced

Duration: 5:50

State Lists: Florida | Texas | Missouri | Wisconsin

Release Date: 2018

Product ID : TSPCS18-001DL

Price: $16.00

Item #: TSPCS18-001DL

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Description

Franz Schubert’s musical style is a distillation of the Romantic Period—emotional, lyrical, and individualistic. August Pappas’ crafty arrangement of Schubert’s Impromptu No. 3 captures these aspects of Schubert’s music and makes them available for keyboard percussionists everywhere.

Originally composed in the unusual key of G-flat major, August has transposed it to C major to better function on a standard-ranged vibraphone. Because of the lyrical nature of this piece, great care must be taken while pedaling so that the long lines of this beautiful melody are not interrupted.

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Instrumentation

• Vibraphone

Reviews

This is a wonderful adaptation of the Schubert “Impromptu.” It requires a very agile four-mallet player to perform successfully due to the moving notes and the range of the instrument covered. The main melody consists of sustained notes played over rapid arpeggiations of the chords in a triple feel. The performer must be aware of the balance between the melodic notes and the chords, as the notes gets very close at times. Although pedaling is not indicated in the score, an adept player should be able to work out a pedaling system, most likely one that follows along with the main harmonic shifts. “Slide-dampening” will be required for some of the faster portions of the melody; however, it only occurs sparingly.

This arrangement is an excellent example of how piano music can be adapted for the vibraphone. The work is advanced due to the fast arpeggiations required and the ability to move around the keyboard quickly and smoothly. This would be an excellent addition to a senior recital or even a graduate-level performance. August Pappas has increased the available quality arrangements for percussion with this addition to the vibraphone repertoire.

—Josh Armstrong
Percussive Notes
Vol. 56, No. 5, November 2018