The River of Life
El Río de la Vida
marimba solo
Composed in January 2009, this piece is a reflection of our experience of life, symbolically represented through the life cycle of the salmon.
This work is dedicated to Andrés Carrera.
Instrumentation:
Marimba 4.5 octaves (F2-C7)
Duration:
8:00 min.
Synopsis
Life resembles a river, where we navigate both tranquil and turbulent waters. Like the salmon, we have the opportunity to marvel at the beauty of the journey and face the challenges presented by our own river... our extraordinary life.
"The River of Life" introduces us to three distinct elements, each with its own profound meaning:
Moderato: represents the beginning of life, a time of discovery and wonder at the new, where curiosity is sparked even by the seemingly obvious. The little salmon ventures into the serene waters of an innocent river, exploring its surroundings.
The second element symbolizes the salmon's continuous growth: alongside the river, new and increasingly complex experiences emerge, shaping its character and defining its essence.
Poco Mosso: new sensations and an insatiable thirst for adventure stir our protagonist. The river's waters rush forward with intensity, exploring the unknown, while the salmon experiences the thrill of life's highs and lows and the torment of its senses. It chases ever more challenging currents, which eventually guide it—almost by surprise—into the vast ocean.
This is the moment to adopt a new perspective, to reinterpret the initial journey from a different lens. Life then unveils the meaning of what has been lived: the logic of events, the value of effort, and the struggle against the current in the face of the river's difficulties. Our salmon moves forward, fortified by past experiences and driven by the courage born of its expectations for fulfillment.
Allegro Vivo: the joy and satisfaction of returning, the delight in reminiscing about the journey, and the sense of accomplishment. These achievements, so deeply desired by all, must be embraced with humility and sincerity, recognizing their simple and genuine nature. After all, we are but passengers in this world.
Now, our salmon rests in calm, serene peace, as a new life begins its own journey through the wondrous waters of the river of life.
