“Canons on Cannons” is a set of improvisational miniatures for solo vibraphonist, inspired by Wassily Kandinsky’s 1913 painting Improvisation No. 30 (Cannons). Each movement is a different abstraction of musical canon: In the first, the right hand follows the left, displaced by a beat and an octave, evoking the image of walking with sheep in a dreary rain. In the second, melody notes are repeated with reharmonized deadstrokes, giving the impression of a light lingering before turning - or being shut off entirely. In the third movement, a long melody hides in the shadows, obscured by double strokes (a red herring of canon), and in the final movement, there are two melodies set against each other, each with their own canonic developments, ultimately distilling into a wide tapestry that covers the entire vibraphone.

i. Pastorale
ii. Lighthouses
iii. False Nocturne
iv. Title Drop

“Canons on Cannons” was written thinking of my friends from the World Percussion Group Summer 2024 tour. The score includes all four movements and is delivered as a PDF by email.