The Sinfonia is the iconic opening to Handel’s Messiah and is often heard during both the Christmas and Easter seasons on organ, piano and orchestra. This transcription by Rick Puzzo (b. 1960), published in 2019, interprets the slow French suite introduction by striking in the mid to low range of the marimba. The fugal subjects are transcribed in different octaves to help bring out the musical lines and the orchestra texture is thinned to accommodate the use of 4-mallets. With some one-handed rolls and constant motoric motion using most of the marimba’s 5 octaves, this piece is a fun challenge and listener accessible for recitals.

For more information about Rick, including his other published works, visit his composer page.