An overview of the vibraphone solo repertoire (1958 -)

Notes

These two lists of repertoire for solo vibraphone contain pieces from 1958 until today. The goal was
to be as complete as possible, while making a distinction between two types of composers: first,
the composer is a separate person from the performer i.e. the finished work is a collaboration of
two people, second, the performer and composer are unified in one person. This distinction is
important as it forms a structure in the whole repertoire by laying the focus on the compositional
process.

General music publishers, as opposed to publishers with a focus on percussion literature, most of
the times don’t have a vibraphone solo category, but feature vibraphone solo pieces in their
percussion solo category.

The lists were assembled by searching through publisher’s catalogs, composer’s oeuvre and
performer’s concert repertoires. Several of the pieces are also including other percussion
instruments or tape, however in this list, a piece is considered a vibraphone solo piece, if the
vibraphone is the centre of attention during a performance. An advantage of general publishers is
that as they are generally publishing the entire output of a composer, vibraphone solo pieces are
presented equally important to orchestral repertoire or, piano and violin music, which makes
composition dates and circumstances of the premiere easily accessible. On the other hand,
percussion specific publishers include much educational literature that is most of the times not
recognised as such without buying the score.

Composer Title Year of Composition Notes

Haubenstock-Ramati, Liaisons 1958 (can also be played

Roman including a marimba)

Beale, James Three Pieces for 1959 (for Kathleen Kastner)

Vibraphone

Schaeffer, Boguslaw Construction for 1962 (written for vibist Jerzy

vibraphone solo Milian)

Gastyne, Serge de Menuet Très Antique, 1963

for Vibraharp solo

Heider, Werner Katalog 1965 (für Siegfried Fink)

Leibowitz, René Three Caprices for 1966 for Jean-Pierre Drouet

Vibraphone, Opus 70

Steiner, Gitta Three pieces for 1968

vibraphone solo

Smith, Stuart One for Syl 1970

Saunders
Composer Title Year of Composition Notes
Steiner, Gitta Four Bagatelles, for 1970
Solo Vibraphone

Gastyne, Serge de Preludes : for 1971

vibraharp solo

Gastyne, Serge de Ballata 1971

Gastyne, Serge de Perpetual Motion 1971

Euteneurer-Rohrer, …nirgendwo… 1972 + 3 Gongs

Ursula

Smith, Stuart Links 1974

Saunders

Hummel, Berthold Ikonen 1975 premiered by

Hermann
Gschwendtner
Smith, Stuart Links no. 2 and no. 3 1975
Saunders

Olive, Vivienne Text II “Before they 1976 für Hans Günther

came” Brodmann (recital
piece)
Lemeland, Aubert Night Vibes 1977 Dedicated to harp
player Martine Géliot
(premiered by
Stéphane Grémaud)
Helble, Raymond Sonata Brevis 1978 written for Leigh
Howard Stevens

Lemeland, Aubert 7 Préludes 1978 for Alicia Siegall

Lemeland, Aubert Winter’s notes 1979 premiered by Michel

Macé

Niculescu, Stefan Solo (from Sincronie I) 1979 + marimba

Saya, Mark The Murphy Sonata 1979 written for James

(theatrical work with Culley and Allen Otte
knitting needles,
pennies and ping-pong
balls)
Composer Title Year of Composition Notes
Lemeland, Aubert Ballade 1980

Silver, Sheila Theme and Variations 1980 for bowed vibraphone

Genzmer, Harald Sonate 1981 für Hermann

Gschwendtner

Genzmer, Harald Acht Fantasien für 1981 für Hermann

Vibraphon Gschwendtner

Hibbard, William Schickstück 1981 (written for Steven

Schick)

Soler, Josep I com el cant del 1981 für Hermann

rossignol Gschwendtner

Hummel, Berthold Tempo di valse 1982 für Hermann

Gschwendtner

Mâche, François- Phénix 1982 with 9 Drums

Bernard (premiered in Beijing,
China)

Shaffer, Sherwood A Ring of Eyes 1982

Sheriff, Noam Mirkam für Chen 1982 for Vibraphone or

Marimba

Smith, Stuart Links No. 4 (Monk) 1982

Saunders

Shaffer, Sherwood Spring Sets I., II 1983

Denisov, Edison Schwarze Wolken 1984

Holten, Bo Valsevaerk 1984 (written for Gert

Mortensen)

Steiner, Gitta Sonata 1984

Donatoni, Franco Omar 1985 für Maurizio Ben Omar

Composer Title Year of Composition Notes
Talmelli, Andrea Lied 1985 with Bass Drum

Boulez, Pierre ...explosante-fixe... 1986 (third version for

vibraphone and
electronics,

Manoury, Phillippe Solo de Vibraphone 1986 written for Les

(Le livre des claviers) Percussions de
Strasbourg
Speck, Frederick A light ascending 1986 with marimba + tubular
bells

Cardi, Mauro Libra 1987

Smith, Stuart Links No. 5 (Sitting on 1987

Saunders the Edge of Nothing)

Askin, Ali N. Six pieces for 1988

vibraphone

Hansen Peter Trajectory No.1 (for Z. 1989

Jeney)

Niimi, Tokuhide Shape of Wind 1989 2 vibraphone and 9

Japanese Temple
Bells
Smith, Stuart Links No. 7 (New 1989
Saunders England Night Weave)

Beinke, Eckart In der zuen Tür 1990

Komives, Janos Alamut, 3 études pour 1990

vibraphone

Kotschy, Johannes Verwehendes Nichts 1990

Segafreddo, Matteo Nefertiti 1990

Stright, Robert Six Poems 1990

Lege, Gunter OH, CLOCK - Big Ben 1991

Quadrupled Vibes
Paraphrases
Composer Title Year of Composition Notes
Rottler, Werner 3 Impressionen 1991 für Hermann
Gschwendtner

Barrett, Richard abglanzbeladen/ 1992 (-1996)

auseinandergeschrieb
en

Böttger, Thomas Vision 1992

Burkett, Bryan Ensam 1992

Jolas, Betsy Etudes Aperçues 1992 with 5 Almglocken

pour Thierry Miroglio

Martin Frédérick Encore le style de 1992 written for Emmanuel

l’acier, cycle I-d Séjourné

Medek, Tilo …, um wahr zu sein 1992

Puumala, Veli-Matti Pulses 1992 with marimba

Sharman, Rodney Apollo’s Touch 1992

Smith, Stuart Links No. 9 (Mosque) 1992

Saunders

Campo, Régis De la rotation des 1993 pour Frédéric Daumas

corps célestes

Dines, Violeta Notte di festa 1993

Lopez Lopez, José Cálculo Secreto 1993 for Miguel Bernat

Manuel

Oehring, Helmut Foxfire Drei 1993

“kaliumchlorid”

Power, Richard Sonic Residue 1993 written for Eric

Hollenbeck

Smith, Stuart Links No. 10 (Who Are 1993

Saunders We? Where Are We?)
Composer Title Year of Composition Notes
Söll, Burkhardt Malven 1993

Campion, Edmund J. Loosing Touch 1994 +tape

Ortiz, Gabriela El Trompo 1994 + tape

Spring, Rudi Maris Stella, Fantasie 1994

Boivin, Philippe Domino V 1995

Church, Joseph Vibrachrome 1995

Hansen, Peter Oktober 1995

Hersh, Howard The idea of North 1995 written Nebosja

Zivkovic

Brophy, Gerard Coil 1996

Diethelm, Caspar Quincunx - 5 Glypten 1996

für Vibraphon Solo

Naulais, Jérôme Facette 2 1996

Sarhan, François Esquisse n.1 1996

Feldman, Barbara Verses 1997

Monk

Naón, Louis Lettre inachevée 1997 pour Jean Geoffroy

Zampronha, Edson Modelagem X-a 1997

Görsch, Ursula Die vier Elemente 1998

Composer Title Year of Composition Notes
Hardish, Patrick Sonorities VI 1998 Composers Guild of
New Jersey

Ovens, Douglas Hiroshima: August 1998

1945

Pollock, Robert Metaphor 1998 Composers Guild of

New Jersey

Anderson, William A giddy thing 1999 +tape Composers

Guild of New Jersey

Babbit, Milton Concerto Piccolino 1999

Kreiger, Arthur Rainsticks 1999 +tape Composers

Guild of New Jersey

Lee, Eugene Noncombinatorial 1999 Composers Guild of

Combinatoria New Jersey

Lege, Gunter Drei 1999

Volksliedparaphrasen

Link, John Bar Hopping 1999 Composers Guild of

New Jersey

Mazurek, Ron Masked Dances 1999 +tape Composers

Guild of New Jersey

Moevs, Robert Adagio 1999 Composers Guild of

New Jersey

Shing, Kung Chi Fishdream 1999 Composers Guild of

New Jersey

Stahmer, Klaus Hinrich Che questo è stato 1999 Tonbandstück mit

Vibrafon-Solo

Westergaard, Peter Chaconne 1999 Composers Guild of

New Jersey

Kalimoulin, Rashid Night Dream of 2000 + tape Composers

Germinated Rice Guild of New Jersey

Almada, Daniel Linde 2002 +tape

Alejandro

Alsina, Carlos Roque “Reflet” 2002

Composer Title Year of Composition Notes
Hurel, Philippe Loops II 2002 Commisssioned by the
Clermont-Ferrand
International
Vibraphone
Competition

Narboni, François Études 2002

Renkel, Michael Albas für Vibraphon 2002

Stockhausen, Karl- Strahlen 2002 + tape written for

Heinz László Hudacsek

Taira, Yoshihisa Monodrame IV 2002 written for Jean

Geoffroy

De Coudenhove, Soleil Noir 2003 + tape written for

Christophe Phillippe Limoge

Stockhausen, Karl- Vibra-Elufa 2003 written for Peter

Heinz Prommel

Smith, Stuart Plenty, thirty-four 2004

Saunders movements for solo
vibraphone
Adams, John Luther …and bells 2005 2 vibraphones,
remembered… crotales and church
bells
Chan, Alan Floes 2005 (piano player)

Gilbert, Nicolas Ariane endormie 2005

Giner, Bruno Arche 2005 +bow

Kingsland, Chappell The Labyrinth 2005 (piano player)

Matalon, Martin Short Stories 2005

Abe, Ryotaro Le vent de la Fin 2006

Composer Title Year of Composition Notes
Capodaglio, Leonello Ode a Tyche 2006

Rossignol, Bruno 3 pièces pour 2006

vibraphone

Hackbarth, Benjamin Open End 2007 + life electronics

Lauridsen, Morten Canticle 2007

Martin, Ed Skipping Stones 2007

Smith, Stuart The Lines of Ageing 2007

Saunders

Giner, Bruno Http//vibra.bag 2008

Narboni, François Melancolia 2008

Smith, Stuart Mornings 2008

Saunders

De Vienne, Bernard Buzz 2009

Nicolau, Vassos Orem 2009 + life electronics

Vidales, Jorge Time-Clouds 2009 PAS Competition

Skjelbred, Bjorn Recognising the 2010 written for Eirik Raude

Bolstad Undercurrent

Smith, Stuart They Looked Like 2010

Saunders Strangers

Smith, Stuart New England 2011

Saunders
Lopez Lopez, José Vibrazoyd 2012 + life electronics, for
Manuel Miguel Bernat
Rivas, Sebastian Best Worse No 2012 prepared vibraphone
Farther
Composer Title Year of Composition Notes
Smith, Stuart The starving Month 2012
Saunders

Wittrich, Peter Prayer on the Hills 2013

Smith, Stuart Lazarus 2014 for piano or

Saunders vibraphone/actor/
singer

Ardizzoia, Andrew Irretrievable Systems 2015

Cauberghs, Louis 7 Preludes for

Vibraphone

Desportes, Yvonne Bacovibra

Drew, James Aria with voice

Mengjiqi, Mehdi Meditation

Stoykov, Nicolay Elegie

Stoykov, Nicolay Rotation

Wen, Loong-Hsing Two Essays for

Vibraphone

Pieces by Performer-composers

Composer Title (s) Year of Notes

Composit
ion
Bergamo, John Three Pieces for the Winter Solstice 1968
Briggs, Thomas Reminiscence

Brown, Thomas Essence,

Puerto Vallarta,
The solo vibist,
Composer Title (s) Year of Notes
Composit
ion
Buonomo, Aldo Assolo 1969

Burton, Gary Chega de Saudade, Arrangements of

Hullo Bolinas, existing jazz tunes
Solos for Vibraphone (1965)
Combs, J.C. One for Paquito,
Three Brothers,
Three Pieces
Cossom, Robert Bunyip

Davis, Jean-Michel 10 Etudes Arrangements of

existing jazz tunes

Davis, Thomas Recital for Vibraharp 1975

De Beradinis, John Contrasts 1973

Deane, Christopher Mourning Dove Sonnet 1983
Deane, Christopher The Apocryphal Still Life 1996
Deane, Christopher Dis Qui Etude 2004
Difilippantonio, Dana scenes from summertime

Eisenhart, Daniel Fireflies flying by

Famelart, Régis Avide

Feldhandler, Jean- For the Wind 2007

Christophe
Feldman, Victor All Alone, 1971 Arrangements of
existing jazz tunes

Fernandez, Robert Katibo 1980 Bowed vibraphone

Fink, Siegfried Improvisation und Umkehrung,

Vibrafon - Suite,
4 Encores Papillon Nr. 1-4,
Finkel, Ian Solos for the Vibraphone Player Arrangements of
existing jazz tunes
Friedman, David Texas Hoedown,
Five tonal Haikus,
Almost Blue,
Bettina Dreams of the Garden of Elves,
Mirror from another,
7 Etudes
Fries, Axel 3 Stücke (1992), für Hermann
Mallet Menuets Gschwendtner

Gaetano, Mario Song of the Libra

Composer Title (s) Year of Notes
Composit
ion
Giesicke, Mark Alexander’s Waltz,
Andreas Autumn Falls,
Crystal Forced US Sun,
Rhythm Waltz,
Six Vibraphone Etudes
Glassock, Lynn Reflections

Glentworth, Mark Blues for Gilbert,

Broken Silence,
Ilmo,
Sunbell,
Hamilton, Bruce Interzones + tape

Hampton, Lionel Vibraphone Folio of Rhythm Choruses 1937 Arrangements of

existing jazz tunes

Handjiev, Emil Miniature, Piece for Holiday,

Studio,
Hasenpflug, Thom Not for Rebecca,
Closet Carnival
Hatch, Earl Chapel by the Sea,
Seascape,
Valse Mystique,
Henry, Alice 7,
Summer Song

Ho, Vincent Nostalgia

Houliff, Murray Bop on the Top,
Contemplation,
Mist,
Tranquility,
Waltz for a Lady,

Huesgen, Tim Trilogy: Three Movements

Johnson, David Etudes

Jollet, Jean-Clement 13 études caprices

Kleinehanding, Ralf Farben in 11,

Wiekommsogeh
Knaack, Donald …for John Cage

Kopetzki, Eckhart Festival Songs,

6 Stücke,
Blues for Tristan,
Escape from Rio,
Latin Rock Café,
3 songs,
Samba de Cacao
Composer Title (s) Year of Notes
Composit
ion
Kotche, Glenn Fantasy

Laborie, Pascal Néréide

Lang, Michael Allegor,

Ballade,
Dreaming,
Elegie,
Impression,
Memory,
Miriam,
Suite
Larosa, Michael Chamber Piece,
Ode to an Irish Pumpkin,
The Case of Nietzsche
Larrick, Geary Aeolian,
Ballad for Joey,
Dance in Time,
Episode,
My Lydia,
Variations on Handel’s

Lepak, Alexander Suite for Solo Vibraphone (1976), 1976

Three Fantasies (1997)
Lesnik, Igor Midnight Pieces,
Twenty Years Later
Leth, Max Lethation,
Pailleth,
Pulsation
Leth, Max Seide Tales for Vibraphone Arrangements of
existing jazz tunes

Lézé, Jean-François Jazzistick

Lipner, Arthur Crystal Mallet,
Kaleidoscope,
Watz for Debby

Lipner, Arthur Solo Jazz Vibraphone Arrangements of

existing jazz tunes
Mancini, David Joey’s Song

McMahon, Tim Jazz Standards for vibraphone Arrangements of

existing jazz tunes
Meister, Scott Seven short pieces 1978
Mendez, Patrick La Ballade de Nala
Composer Title (s) Year of Notes
Composit
ion
Menke, Manfred Do not eat the “Friend”-Chips,
Drei Meinungen,
Excited Moment,
Expose your Fear,
Für Christine,
Liebeslied,
Mutation I-IV,
Thoughts about you & me,
Metzger, Jon Imaginaries

Molenhof, Bill Music of the Day

Molenhof, Bill Tunes You Know Arrangements of

existing jazz tunes
Morleo, Luigi Escher Prelude,
Per i profughi di guerra 7,
Five miniatures about Piazzolla

Muller, Richard Radio Pirate,

Vibra Fun Jazz,
A golden handshake,
Cigar Rag
Musser, Clair Omar Master Solo Arrangements 1941 Arrangements of
existing jazz tunes
Ouderits, Leo Poem

Pagel, Sebastian Living Dreams,

Free and Turquoise
Pelegri, Stéphane Monologue

Piper, John Mark Just a step away,

Spring Valley Kids
Primatic, Stephen Two Pieces

Pulkkinen, Risto Christian’s Lullaby, (Finland)

Nichola’s Lullaby,

Riedhammer, Arnold Good Vibe-Brations (Blechschaden -

Percussionist)
Rohwer, Nils Floating,
Hymn,
Reflections,
Sonnentanz,
Green Lake,
Tiento
Composer Title (s) Year of Notes
Composit
ion
Rosauro, Ney Bem-Vindo,
Two Reflections,
Prelude and Blues,
Vibes Etudes and Songs
Rutkowski, Milosz Tsunami

Samkopf, Kjell Abstrakte Linjer, (Norway)

Because of G.H.,Blues Extract,
On the Way,
The Blus in C,
Samuels, Dave Nightrain

Schlüter, Wolfgang Solobuch

Schmidt, Jochen Three Vibraphone Solos Arrangements of

existing jazz tunes
Schmitt, Matthias Arabesque Kinderaugen,
Eisblumen,
Rêve curieux

Séjourné, Emmanuel 19 Etudes Musicales,

Bee,
Lila
Smith, David Jewels

Spencer, Julie Ask,

Tranquility
Spivack, Larry Soliloquy,
Four Pieces,
Siciliano,
Spivack, Murray Four Solo Pieces

Stabile, James Ballade (Night Song)

Steinquest, David In the Stillness of Twilight

Stirtz, Brad Sonatina for Vibraharp,

Tribute

Stock, Chris Cross Sticks (4 Pieces), (BBC Orchestra

Jupiters Dance Percussionist)
Tachoir, Marlene & Solo Vibraphone Collection Arrangements of
Jerry existing jazz tunes
Tasca, Saverio Four Concert Pieces,
Market Day
Tavernier, Jean- Beca 2B,
Claude
Composer Title (s) Year of Notes
Composit
ion
Tortiller, Franck Pour Claude,
La belle vie
Treiber, Werner Springtime für Hermann
Gschwendtner
Ubben, Jasper Zwei Stücke für großes Vibraphon,
Zwei Stücke für Vibraphone

Ukena, Todd Tears of Long Lost Love

Vandevenne, Thomas La Mauresque

Veigl, Walter Etüden

Verne, Yves Confidences

Wahlund, Ben Hard-Boiled Capitalism and the Day 2009

Mr. Friedman Noticed Google is a Verb

Wiener, Ruud All You’ve Seen is Yellow and Green,

Delphi,
Six Solos 1+2,
Swiss Village,
Fragile Memories,
Children’s Solo
Wittiber, Benjamin Morning Dance,
Realtime,
Remembrance,
Selma,
Smile,
The Decision,
Three Solos,
Yeager, Steve Chasing Windmills,
Fall River,
Waltz for this Oneness
Yoshioka, Takayoshi Meditation

Zivkovic, Nebojsa Suomineito

Sources:
Solo repertoire written for or premiered by classical performers such as:

Nebosja Jovan Zivkovic, Siegfried Fink, Hermann Gschwendtner, Emmanuel Séjourné, Miguel
Bernat, Jean Geoffroy, Maurizio Ben Omar, Frédéric Daumas

Commissioning Projects

Composers Guild of New Jersey Vibraphone Commissions (1999) written for Peter Jarvis
PAS composition competitions for solo vibraphone pieces (1980,1990, 2004, 2011)
Test Pieces for the International Vibraphone Competition “Claude Giot” (1999, 2002, 2005, 2008)

Publishers of exclusively percussion literature

C ALAN Publications (40 solos)

Alfonce Productions (51 Solos)
Francois Dhalmann (18 Solos)
Edition Svitzer,
Norsk Percussion,
Honeyrock Publishing,
Keyboard Percussion Publications,
Tapspace,
Pioneer Percussion Publications

Publishers specialised in Transcriptions of Improvised Solos

Mallet works

General Publishers with a Percussion sections (composers and composer/performers)

Musikverlag Zimmermann
Gérard Billaudot Éditeur
Promethean Editions

General Publishers Focused on the entire output of a composer

Edizioni Suvini Zerboni
Ricordi
Leipzig, Deutscher Verlag für Musik
Amphion
Durand/Salabert/Eschig
Edition Peters
Boosey & Hawkes

Online Databases
http://brahms.ircam.fr/ 19 solo pieces