Matandaro by James Armstrong

House Panther Press
 
Inspired by the simple melodic and rhythmic concepts of Shona mbira music, each player has one portion of the composite melody commonly played by one performer on the mbira. The gourd and maracas counter rhythms create somewhat of a stereo effect while enhancing the overall rhythmic complexity.

The Cornell University Percussion Ensemble premiered Matandaro in April 2006.

Instrumentation:
Three players on one 5 octave marimba (each with one mallet and one maraca)
Small gourd shaker