Samsara by Brett Dietz

Samsara by Brett Dietz is a challenging and introspective piece for solo marimba and six person percussion ensemble. The title literally means "the endless cycle of suffering caused by birth, death, and rebirth" in a Buddhist liturgical language, and this idea is realized through the use of dissonance, rhythm, and repetition.

As is characteristic of the composer, this piece features an vast use of polyrhythms and mixed meters/metric modulations in order to create the right musical tone.

The ideal of samsara is depicted through the piece's six movements. The first movement starts the primary motives found throughout the rest of the work signifying birth. The second and third movement is much more forceful and loud with lots of syncopation which depicts death.

Movement three softly transition to movements four and five which are much softer and gentler to represent the sadness of death that others feel. Then, finally, movement six illustrates rebirth with a spirited and brisk tone to signify the idea of started over with a clean slate, free from the burdens of a past life.

Samsara is a great piece but is not simple by any means. This piece requires a mature solo marimbist as well as an experienced percussion ensemble to grasp the challenging musical and technical aspects of the work.

Instrumentation:

• 5-Octave Marimba
• Cowbell, Shaker, Small Cabasa, Claves
• Wood Blocks(2), Steel Pipes (2), Brake Drum, Suspended Tambourine
• Slit Drum, Small & Large Maracas, Opera Gong, Gongs (2)
• Chinese Tom, Tom, Snare Drum, Kick Drum
• Bongos, Congas
• Splash Cymbal, Ride Cymbal, Hi Hat, Suspended Cymbals (2)

Difficulty: Advanced +

Duration: 12:00

Notes from the Composer: "Samsara for solo marimba and percussion ensemble was commissioned by and dedicated to Frank Kumor and the Kultztown State University Percussion Ensemble. Samsara is a Sanskrit word (liturgical language of Buddhism) meaning 'the endless cycle of suffering caused by birth, death, and rebirth". The composition utilizes a solitary pitch cell that is manipulated through the piece's six movements. Samsara was premiered at the perKumania Percussion Festival in Paris, France and was also played at the College Music Society International Conference in Bangkok, Thailand."