Water Lilies was composed in 2012. The title refers to the sublime series of paintings created by the French impressionist Claude Monet – in particular the set of eight panels displayed in two consecutive oval rooms at the Musée de l’Orangerie in Paris. The piece is scored for piano, glockenspiel, vibraphone, marimba and timpani.
- Difficulty: Advanced
- Number of players: 5
- Instrumentation: Piano, Glockenspiel, vibraphone, 5.0 octave marimba and timpani
Reviewed in Percussive Notes, December 2023, Vol. 61, No. 6 by Danielle Moreau
Written in 2012, “Water Lilies” is inspired by the Nymphéas series of paintings by French
impressionist Claude Monet. It is a beautifully complex and satisfying work for five percussionists and a pianist. Approximately 10 minutes in length, it is recommended for professional ensembles and upper-level graduate students.
I first noticed the detail provided in the score and the introductory notes for the performers. Bob Becker elaborates more on the influences behind the piece and includes instrument specifications and mallet recommendations for each player. I find this information to be helpful when initially working on a piece as intricate as this. Additionally, the parts are engraved with a larger font size and in such a way that players can easily manage page turns if needed.
“Water Lilies” is a gorgeous example of Becker’s compositional voice. The piece explores the softer side of our dynamic range, using very sudden swells and varied note length for added effect. Each player is equally important, despite shining individually throughout the work. I think this would be a fantastic piece to add to any faculty chamber recital or performance of contemporary music and is a worthwhile endeavor for any professional group.
—Danielle Moreau
