For prepared vibraphone solo (30\u2019, in 6 movements)
\nProgram note:
\nAn Economy of Means is a kind of companion piece to my trio An Index of Possibility. In Index I
\nused a wide range of materials\u2014glass, metal, wood, ceramic, drums, toys, found objects\u2014to
\ncreate a large form that moved between distinctive worlds within a broad sonic palette. With An
\nEconomy of Means I\u2019ve done the opposite, deliberately using one instrument, the vibraphone,
\nand forcing myself to make the most out of limited resources. With a few simple<\/p>\n
preparations\u2014tin foil, a manilla folder\u2014and judicious usage of the vibraphone\u2019s natural
\nproperties, I tried to build something vast and varied, as broad and ambitious as the trio but in a
\nnarrower, more focused context. Set in six movements, the nearly thirty minute piece doesn\u2019t
\nhave a specific narrative. Even so, I think there is always a sense of motion, of drifting from
\nspace to space, with little dramas unfolding along the way. An Economy of Means was
\ncommissioned by Doug Perkins and a consortium of alumni from the Chosen Vale Summer
\nPercussion Seminar. I think the infectious spirit of friendship and collaboration so strongly felt at
\nChosen Vale found its way into this work, and for that I am extremely grateful. – Robert Honstein<\/p>\n