A duet for two five-octave marimbas.

Multum in Parvis differs from Helble's other percussion orchestra works in that most of the material is introduced and developed by membranophones rather than keyboards.

Commissioned by Theodor Milkov, this piece is a massive, weighty, tonally contrapuntal, and technically brilliant tour de force.

Duo Concertante for Vibraphone and Marimba is a bravura crowd pleaser for two strong players. The style has a baroque flavor, offering players and audiences to hear the materials develop, cross and re-cross parts, and engage in contrapuntal arabesques.

SilverWood is a four movement duo sonata for marimba and flute. The two parts are of equal importance, trading and developing materials in a way sure to excite and fascinate the audience. The finale -- a fun and tuneful tarantella -- could be used as an encore piece.

marimba solo
"Dragon" is more atmospheric, featuring a portentous, ominous opening Adagio, and an Allegro that alternates dark drama with dazzling and climactic moments of triumph.

One of Raymond Helble's many compositional talents is the ability to imitate the style of almost any famous composer. Not only is this set of variations a great way to study the performance style of these composers, the set is also a delightful and slightly humorous treat for the audience. The compositional "slight of hand" is totally convincing.

It's called the "Well-Tempered Marimbist", because each of the pieces is in a different key, like Bach's "Well-Tempered Clavier". Each piece was written with specific musical and technical challenges in mind.

It's called the "Well-Tempered Marimbist", because each of the pieces is in a different key, like Bach's "Well-Tempered Clavier". Each piece was written with specific musical and technical challenges in mind.

The master marimba composer (Preludes, Grand Fantasy, etc.) has written a massive sounding, very difficult tonal solo piece. Toccata Fantasy is full of great tunes, exciting chromatic key changes and clever textures.

Prelude No.7 is a highly chromatic toccata-like piece with a Baroque-like motor rhythm. No.8 is a short but lugubrious treatment of a short, sharp, rhythmic motive. No.9 is a mysterious march that approaches and disappears into the distance.

Helble's marimba output spans more than 25 years. The harmonic material has become more stable, tonal and conservative as the years have passed, but there is always that harmonic twist that sets his tonal language apart.

Prelude and Rondo, commissioned by Texas Christian University and Dr. Brian West for a PASIC performance, is a large and very attractive percussion orchestra work, featuring one of Helble's most beautiful and hypnotic openings.

A concerto for marimba and band.
"Dragon" is more atmospheric, featuring a portentous, ominous opening Adagio, and an Allegro that alternates dark drama with dazzling and climactic moments of triumph.

A Duo for marimba and violin.

A finely crafted work for ten players, featuring two sets of antiphonal timpani. Parts range from very simple bass drum and cymbals, to challenging snare drum, keyboard and timpani. Premiered by the Eastman Percussion Ensemble. Neat manuscript, spiral bound.