UTOPIC MARIMBA

UTOPIC MARIMBA from J.S.Bach to David Moliner

What would it be like to imagine the music of J.S.Bach, Claude Debussy or Franz Schubert on the marimba? Composer and solo percussionist David Moliner has transcribed Bach’s suites BWV 1007-1009 from cello to marimba, as well as Claude Debussy’s Arabesque no.1 and Franz Schubert’s Impromptu Op.142 (D.935) from piano to marimba. Utopic Marimba is a project that David Moliner conceived when he transcribed music from classical composers in to the marimba. Moliner is really convinced that if J.S. Bach, Claude Debussy and Franz Schubert had known the marimba, they would have composed numerous works for this instrument, given its richness of tone, possibilities and its adaptation to the thought of these 3 classic authors. Therefore, these transcriptions are necessary to adapt the timelessness of music to the most versatile instrument – and one that has undergone the most progression – in the 20th century. The cornerstone of the project is the music of Johann Sebastian Bach. Bach was not only a stunning creator, but also a temporary bridge to the music of the past and the future. Through his grammatical and dialectical laws, he managed to ensure that his music had an influence even 300 years after his death. The music of Johann Sebastian Bach, Franz Schubert and Claude Debussy will be interrelated with 4 works written in the 20th-21st century. The first is the work of the French composer Bruno Mantovani, called  Moi Jeu… a work that has become an undisputed pillar of the marimba repertoire. The second is the work Solo V for solo marimba by David Moliner himself, premiered at Konzerthaus Berlin last 2023. Work that interrelates the theatrical dialectic of the body / instrument and is inspired by the Prelude to Suite BWV 1009 by Johann Sebastian Bach. 

Johann Sebastian Bach – Suite for cello solo G major BWV 1007 (marimba transcription by David Moliner) 

Claude Debussy Arabesque I for solo piano (marimba transcription by David Moliner) 

Johann Sebastian Bach – Suite for solo cello in D minor BWV 1008 (marimba transcription by David Moliner) 

Franz Schubert Impromptu Op.142 (D.935) (marimba transcription by David Moliner) 

Bruno Mantovani Moi Jeu… for solo marimba 

Johann Sebastian Bach – Suite for cello solo C major BWV 1009 (marimba transcription by David Moliner) 

David Moliner Solo V for solo marimba 

Leander Kaiser Hurricane’s Eye for solo marimba 

Duration: Approximately 1 hour 15 minutes (without break)
North Entrance (fully accessible)
Doors open at 18:00
Card only
Fully accessible seats are FLOOR seats only.