A marimba concerto is a musical composition written for a marimba soloist and a large ensemble such as an orchestra, wind band, or a chamber music ensemble.
Notable Marimba Concertos
The first solo concerto, Concertino for Marimba, was composed by Paul Creston in 1940. Paul Creston was commissioned by Frederique Petrides to compose this work. The Concertino for Marimba was premiered on April 29, 1940 in the Carnegie Chamber Music Hall by marimba soloist Ruth Stuber Jeanne and the Orchestrette Classique directed by Frederique Petrides.
Marimbist Vida Chenoweth and the Orchestra of America premiered Concerto for Marimba and Orchestra, Op. 34 by Robert Kurka on November 11, 1959. This performance marked the first time that the marimba was invited onto Carnegie Hall.
The Boston Symphony Orchestra commissioned Maurice Wright to compose Concertpiece, for marimba and orchestra. Concertpiece was composed in 1993 and was premiered the following season by Boston Symphony Orchestra percussionist Will Hudgins.