Nancy Zeltsman

Album Notes by Nancy 

In 2024, my new chapter was selecting, arranging, and learning this program: wanting to go a bit off the path, listening to what music was calling me, being open to possibilities, challenging myself. These are first recordings of each piece on marimba.

Many familiar musical styles are featured in this collection, though the specific pieces may be unfamiliar. I hope it’s refreshing to make your own likely-first-time connections to this music. I feel the pieces have a reflective quality to them. I hope marimba aficionados and new marimba listeners alike discover something new via the marimba and this music.

To celebrate the 40th anniversary of founding Marimolin with violinist Sharan Leventhal, I include vibist/composer David Friedman’s trio that we always meant to record. David was one of my major inspirations when I was 15 – and he is a creative, inspiring, active performer today in his early 80s.  Thanks to Sharan, Leo, and Matt for joining me!

Here’s to rejuvenation and to drinking water!

Program – and recommended listening sequence

1 | Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco: Passatempi [Pastime] (excerpts) | Adapt. N. Zeltsman  |  5:01 Un poco mosso — Un poco burlesco — Serenamente —quasi campestre — Coda

2 | Friedrich Wilhelm Zachow: Suite in B minor, LV 65  |  Arr. Nancy Zeltsman  |  3:16
Allemand A — Courant A — Allemand B — Courant B                                                            

3 | Friedrich Wilhelm Zachow: Suite in B minor, LV 65  | Arr. Nancy Zeltsman  |  1:36
Saraband

4 | Friedrich Wilhelm Zachow: Suite in B minor, LV 65  | Arr. Nancy Zeltsman  |  2:19
Fuga Finalis

5 | Joep Straesser: Music for marimba  |  7:29

6 | Fred Hersch: West Virginia Rose/The Water is Wide  |  Adapt. N. Zeltsman  |  6:56     

7 | Moto Fukushima: Star  |  Adapt. Nancy Zeltsman  |  3:39

8 | Paul Simon: Bridge Over Troubled Water  |  Arr. Jacob Collier / Arr. N. Zeltsman  |  2:39

9 | Paul Simon: Amulet (2008 session)  |  3:09

10 | Antônio Carlos Jobim: Água de Beber [Drinking Water] | Arr. Mau Coli/Zeltsman  |  3:40
            Matt Smallcomb, drums

11 | David Friedman: Inside Outside  |  12:20
            Sharan Leventhal, violin; Leo Martinez, double bass

12 | Manuel M. Ponce: Por tí, mi corazón [For you, my heart]  |  Adapt. N. Zeltsman  |  2:31

Total playing time: 54:35  |  ©℗ 2025 Nancy Zeltsman. All Rights Reserved. 
Unauthorized duplication is a violation of applicable laws.