Clair de lune by Claude Debussy arr. for marimba by Justin McConchie

Clair de lune by Claude Debussy
arranged for marimba by Justin McConchie
Performed by Justin McConchie in the James W. Black Music Center at Virginia Commonwealth University, June 4, 2023
Sheet Music from C. Alan Publications
c-alanpublicat...
Audio/Video by GreenHaus Productions
www.greenhausp...
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I wanted to play Clair de lune on marimba because my dog, Blue, loved the marimba and loved this piece of music. Blue was always there to listen when I practiced marimba, usually sleeping under the instrument, and he would even get upset anytime it needed to be moved out of the house. Blue was the sweetest and most loving dog I’ve ever known, and he brought comfort and joy to everyone he met. The only time Blue needed to be comforted himself was during the occasional thunderstorm, and music was the one thing that could calm him. Piano music was the most effective, and Clair de lune became the go-to piece anytime thunder could be heard in the distance.
I was surprised to not find any existing arrangements of Clair de lune for solo 5-octave marimba. It is not an easy piece to play on the instrument, and this arrangement quite literally pushes the limits of both the marimba and the performer, at one point requiring simultaneous notes spanning nearly the full length of the instrument. I imagine the difficulty is the reason that more versions of this piece do not exist for marimba, but it was important to me to keep this arrangement as true to the piano score as possible in an effort to capture the beauty and emotion of the original work. While I hope I accomplished this goal, I’m certain that Blue would love it and that’s all that truly matters to me.

[@kevaegis]

The marimba brings out a sense of peacefulness to the goodbye song not immediately obvious on the piano. When I play clair de lune on the piano I'm often imagining our two chihuahuas, Mochi and Bowbow; each time I play I get to say another goodbye that I never meant. Thank you for this beautiful arrangement.

[@alejandrogutierrez6923]

❤❤❤

[@Joe-cq1rf]

What a beautiful way to think of the song

[@dennisdavis3919]

It's nice to hear a performance that's not shy about embracing the rubato.

[@bugemaster2700]

this is something i think so many arrangements of classical pieces like this are missing!

[@zaccsonofjohn1132]

Honestly, with how fluent he plays, it’s no surprise to me that he has a good sense of rubato

[@beaumartin366]

I don’t understand why some people don’t do it. Rubato comes to naturally to me and adds so much to playing a piece.

[@radrickdavis]

Every single time he hits two or more notes at once, there is zero separation in timing. One single beat in perfect unison.

[@benzos5704]

At first I thought we were gonna see Ben Shapiro try to show off again lol

[@alejandrogutierrez6923]

Don’t tell me that that fraud plays the marimba

[@nateshultz1201]

@@alejandrogutierrez6923is that comment necessary

[@Natalie-qs2hc]

Wow, so so so good! I saw the title and thought it must be a simplified arrangement, but you really nailed the original!! Bravo! I'm sure Blue is peacefully enjoying it from doggy heaven ❤

[@LuisFlores-vi6pu]

Justin, you did amazing on this arrangement, the fluidity of the notes, the musicality, just amazing, made me shed a tear this was beautiful.

[@Scor327]

Marimba's my favourite instrument, and I've had one since I was about 11/12. I've just finished professional-level music studies with 16, and I hope to enter the ESMUC music school after a year to get myself ready. Even my confidence in how I play this beautiful instrument has shattered upon listening to you play... Adding this video to my favourites so I can try myself! Though I'm sure no one could play it better than you... Well played, I'm in total awe. ❤

[@ChrisSmith-vm5tm]

Absolutely Fantastic! Thank you🙏🏻

[@eirarodriguez6035]

Samoin, piti monta kyyneltä vuodattaa. Nämä lyyriset kappaleet marimba tuo hyvin esille.

[@eirarodriguez6035]

It is so beautiful.

[@美來ヒーリング]

素晴らしい演奏をありがとうございました☺️💖

[@liviecavin6337]

I'm not very familiar with the marimba so as each part of the song came I couldn't help but think "how's he going to do that bit?" And then you would play it with such perfection!! This has to be my favorite rendition of the song. There was a simplicity that I think can be lost in some other versions. Thank you for this, it is beautiful

[@FeelGreatMusic]

Dang ! That's absolutely, flawlessly BEAUTIFUL mate !!!

[@porruolivier2916]

For Blue, for Lustig, for Penny and Bart and all of them who are waiting on us. Thank you ❤

[@NinaKamoMusic]

thank you for arranging this

[@bosomgirdle]

This is exactly correct -- a transcribers dream. Thank you! May every possible sweet thing come your way.

[@RedDogMamaHD]

I saw a few comments about good bye and dogs, so I finally read the description (I was watching on my phone). Beautiful rendition and this brings back memories of my Mother and my sister (who passed away at the age of 16), who played this often. I love this piece on Marimba and I saved this in my Awesome Performances playlist.

[@paulstranahan]

That’s beautifully played and a nice story about your dog Blue. I play marimba as well and my dog Chester likes it much better than drum set. 😊

[@crisfital]

Sensacional Justin, Parabéns. Uma musica que eleva a alma e... o espirito voa longe! Muito obrigado !

[@xxramenxx6086]

I absolutely love this performance, and I am also working on my own version of Claire de Lune for marimba with not as much rubato. Absolutely love love LOVE this performance so much though!

[@kirbywaite1586]

The only thing I miss are the sustained notes only the piano is able to provide. They convey the sensation of steady, continuous moon beams which Debussey was able to so ingeniously cause us to hear, and quite nearly, see. However, this was very lovely.

[@gusbus2k138]

One of the best. Words mean nothing. Peace to you and your memory of Blue

[@sharendonnelly7770]

Clair de lune is my favorite by Debussy, never heard it played on marimba before, but this was magical. Beautiful!

[@SM-ju4ji]

absolutely stunning

[@MatthewChovanec-UNT]

What mallets are you using for this?? They sound so beautiful and you can tell exactly which part of the mallet you’re getting the sound from! Bravo

[@magneticairlab]

Great! Thank you!

[@spencergrover6886]

I would try rolling the notes that are sustained on piano.

[@Jaôkhûñ-z4t]

for blue

[@dorettazingg8414]

Diese magischen Töne, mit fantastisch leichter Musikalität gespielt ❤vielen Dank !

[@깜보맘-n6w]

브라보! 익숙한 피아노 곡인데 마림바 연주로 들으니 새롭습니다 브라보!

[@zaccsonofjohn1132]

This has to be the best percussion rendition of this piece

[@JKrohnic]

Nice man, maybe a softer mallet on your far left for the bass? Idk, very enjoyable otherwise ❤

[@jrthiker9908]

Conductor/pianist here, your arrangement is beautiful and very sensitively played. Great memories of your dog Blue. Makes me think of our Jack Russell's Bruno, Grady, Roscoe, Pina, and Griffey, who loved to hang out by or under the piano as I practiced. We musicians and our pets have a special bond.

[@David-xr4ct]

Beautiful piece, great work

[@giovannilucia7437]

the articulation with the mallets are insane!! what kind are they?

[@MeowfaceMusic]

1:12 Damn dude. That strike was perfect.

[@kentbyron7608]

Bravo! Thank you for being on this planet and sharing. Love the church natural reverb for that marimba. Great song choice. Subscribed!❤️👏👏👏👏👏🌞🙏🏼

[@MatthewChovanec-UNT]

This is some of the best most moving performances I have ever had the pleasure of listening to

[@leatherhead06]

Danggg I was looking for this during the first half of the year. Beautiful work! I can't wait to learn it!

[@LisaKokx]

What a beautiful piece for a beautiful friend

[@paulgreen6921]

The rubato seems just perfectly played for this special instrument! So resonate radiant vibrant! PWG

[@DEFCON-FMB]

This is such a great rendition. I really enjoy that the notes are all melodic and don’t include the sharp piano notes of the original.

[@baden9185]

Now it's sound like Undertale ost

[@Carnivoreteacher1965]

Mesmerizing! You’re so talented!

[@lizlopezsmiles]

This is incredibly beautiful and touching ❤

[@sambryson6994]

Hey Justin, beautiful playing and wonderful arrangement. Is your arrangement available for purchase somewhere?

[@justinmcconchie]

Hey Sam, it is now available from C. Alan Publications: c-alanpublications.com/clair-de-lune-marimba/

[@eirarodriguez6035]

Casi me pongo a llorar.

[@klaasschippers3751]

A Majestic Marimba, yeeey!

[@nicholasrienstra3844]

Great arrangement Justin, what mallets do you happen to be using for this recording? They create a lovely tone out of the full range of your instrument.

[@justinmcconchie]

Thanks! They are Innovative Percussion Thomas Burritt mallets.

[@ChuyPercusion]

Era tocar la marimba, no hacerla hablar

[@amandascavuzzi]

this gotta be one of the most difficult instruments to play

[@cocacolafan238]

Its so fun though!

[@萩原耕介]

Oh! Debussy, Debussy, Debussy! "Clare de Lune" Great master piece it is. Your second intermission between each note is so mysterious and graceful and beautiful. I was moved so much. by the way occasionally I would love to hear Bictor Borge's playing with back on the orchestra .I would love his sensible arpeggio between each arpeggio, especially singing triplet figuration dominated over agogyk is so natural and mysterious. (91yrs.Japanese) I hear "Beethoven said Tempo is Music" sorry strange English.

[@siuuuu333]

v2 from ultrakill before we found the 3 blue skulls:

[@Gino-okj]

Wow

[@gentle_goy23432]

Так красиво. Очень люблю маримбу.

[@hiramignaciomedinareyes6046]

Do you have the sheet music?

[@justinmcconchie]

Yes! You can find it here: c-alanpublications.com/clair-de-lune-marimba/

[@jorgearroyo2602]

Did you make the adaptation?

[@chrisrosas9239]

This is great! Still a huge fan of your fluidity and approach to the board. Thanks again for the inspiration, Justin. I hope the McConchie’s are doing well!

[@justinmcconchie]

Thanks Chris!

[@elianemeirelles3339]

Lindo!😊❤

[@randyisble5996]

Simply magical.

[@TheScoobysteve]

Now faster.

[@ClassyWalter]

what mallets did you use to make thi sound so good 😩

[@justinmcconchie]

They are Innovative Percussion Thomas Burritt mallets. They do sound great, but there are a lot of other factors too!

[@猪又恵子]

なんてステキな演奏でしょう❤すばらしいマリンバをありがとうございます👏👏👏

[@Kams224]

Amazing performance.

[@andrelima5444]

😮😮😮👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥

[@eirarodriguez6035]

Mieltä rauhoittavaa.

[@wenbear4122]

❤❤❤

[@kamadella5098]

!

[@bryceradtke4064]

I know I’m 7 months late but finally

[@keithbarnes9419]

Nicely done

[@elikim3968]

great rendition? what mallets are you using? are they Thomas Burrits??

[@justinmcconchie]

Yes!

[@GeorgeAustria]

very lovely

[@Music_is_Breathing]

He's lost the sustain that a piano has. It doesn't flow nicely. Not that I could do better, he's amazing!

[@hknapp-hj2sn]

Refreshing redndition; maybe add a touch of reverb to help fill-in between the notes.

[@cezzy_1496]

I agree, but reverb and sustain in not something most marimbas can do. Still very nice performance from Justin though

[@alexadhahn]

Beautiful

[@spencersmith2798]

Fine.

[@IsThatNobel]

This is wonderful

[@samuelec]

Nice one! despite the instrument limitations and some extra lag here and there it's so far the best non-piano version I've heard

[@ainsleykinney6325]

truly beautiful performance

[@zonderbaar]

❤

[@wenbear4122]

So beautiful

[@MichaelMezaMusic7]

Excellent performance!

[@ytwatch]

Just awesome!

[@edmurray7733]

Gorgeous

[@deuterium4.028]

this sound is so boop boop

[@rsullens]

Magnificent

[@drpepper2062]

I love blue

[@andrewk666]

Great playing but these mics are too hot- there's clipping on almost every note. Gotta soundcheck hitting record

[@xaviersilva3577]

i think your speakers might be too loud or not good quality cause it sounds really good

[@munirabano-lo1vn]

Try with 6 sticks

[@brycejohnson8486]

My dog loves this song as well 🥲(it’s the only song he doesn’t bark at)