Repertoire
Below is a typical 4-MALITY programme. All the pieces were composed especially for us except one - can you guess which one?? The commissions were written in the last 10 years (more about commissions). We specifically tailor our programme depending on our audience, using pieces both from the list below and from our ever increasing repertoire.
Mark Norman Clockwork
A drumming feast. 4 lines of mutli-percussion, at 3, 6, 9 and 12 o'clock..
centered around a monster bass drum! With sticks blurring and some cunning
interplay between the 4 players, this number is a belter!
Jan Bradley Prague
Thousands of bars get pummelled by 16 mallets in this tremendous
opening classic! One of Jan's few tuned percussion pieces and still, the challenge
remains for other groups to take on this beast!
Sophie Hastings Justo Pelladito
After her many trips to Cuba, 4-MALITY
take on it's first genuine Latin number. Cheekily put together for Shekeres,
Cajons and Congas, whilst Sophie dominates with some Cuban Kit action!
Geir Rafnsson Ykjur
Want to listen? 
there's
more here too!
A thrilling opening to the show combining all our sound worlds... Ykjur
roughly translates from Icelandic as "extreme measures", which represents
the eclectic mix of radical time signatures that form the piece. Geir Rafnsson
was one of 4-MALITY's founder members.
Russell du Plessis Incalcando
Want to watch? 
Fast nippy number with thousands of notes on 2 marimbas & 2 vibes.
Benjamin Wallfisch Apex
Want to watch?
Our favourite piece written by a non-percussionist. Inspired by the
Japanese Taiko Drummers, it incorporates some quirky sounds such as Garbage
Cymbals, Opera Gongs & Waterphones. Originally written with a dance element
for the Bath International Music Festival.
Ian Vine Siri2 Want
to listen?
4-MALITY's first commission back in 2000. Developed from Vine's
solo percussion and tape piece Siri. A great balance of technical & complex
rhythms.
Eric Sammut Lost in the
Ocean
Composed for 4-MALITY's tour to Finland by arguably the world's finest marimba
player. Very fishy... one critic described it... "as soothing as
valium".
Steve Reich Drumming (Part
1)
Audiences consistantly give Steve Reich a great reception. Surprisingly,
Reich has written little for just 4 players but this part of Drumming happens
to be possibly his best. Great exhibition of phasing and funky 'build-up-build-downs'!
Brian Irvine The Rather Unfortunate Demise
of Mr Whippy
A funny story about an ice cream van in an eerie part of Belfast...
say no more!
Jan Bradley Stretch
Climax of our show... no 4-MALITY gig would be complete without
it. One of many pieces written by Jan for 4-MALITY... this time using modified
gas pipes. The clue is in the title!