Seven Steps is an intriguing work for marimba trio that centres on developing a melodic shape through a series of gestures and episodes that combine in three main sections. The title alludes to the sense of an onward and upward journey of the spirit, and is occasionally inferred by a recurring rhythmic figure. The performers' technical and expressive abilities are tested throughout this journey, as the material ranges from delicate, sustained rolls to bursts of spiky melodic gestures.
Gary Wain is a New Zealand-born composer, percussionist, conductor and teacher based in Tasmania, Australia. A major part of his compositional output has been for or inclusive of percussion, and it includes substantial works aimed specifically at enriching the percussion repertoire. Whilst sometimes technically challenging, his music has invariably proved interesting and rewarding to both players and audiences.
