For those unaware, Mika Stoltzman is the world’s leading marimba virtuosa whose imaginative, genre-bending collaborations have cemented her unique place in the music world. Crossing the Bar is a thoughtfully conceived, beautifully executed, and boldly multi-idiomatic album that is an entrée into the unique possibilities of the contemporary marimba.

Crossing the Bar puts the creative boldness that has defined Mika’s career on full display, engaging in the sound worlds of contemporary classical and jazz with equal devotion and insight. Opening with her beloved Bach “Chaconne in D minor” in a new arrangement for marimba and strings – backed by members of the Boston Symphony Orchestra and Boston Modern Orchestra Project – the album segues to “Breathturn: Part 1” by frequent collaborator, composer John Zorn, featuring Mika’s husband, the celebrated clarinetist Richard Stoltzman.

Next is an enchanting arrangement of Debussy’s “Rêverie” for marimba and strings, followed by a barn-storming world-premiere recording of the “Marimba Concerto No. 1” by Mika’s compatriot, GRAMMY-nominated composer Miho Hazama, which brilliantly showcases Mika’s virtuosic talents alongside those of fellow-musicians Richard Stoltzman, jazz bass player Eddie Gómez and drummer Steve Gadd.

JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACH (1685–1750)
1. Chaconne in D minor from Partita No.2 BWV 1004 [18.06]
arr. for *marimba & °strings by Mika Stoltzman* & Steven Lipsitt°

JOHN ZORN (b. 1953)
2. Breathturn: Part 1 (2025) [4.38]

CLAUDE DEBUSSY (1862–1918)
3. Rêverie CD 76 [5.44]
arr. for marimba & strings by Takeshi Fuse

MIHO HAZAMA (b. 1986)
Marimba Concerto No.1 (2021) [19.42]

Mika - a marimbist from Amakusa, a small island located in Kumamoto prefecture, the southern part of Japan - opens this set on BACH’s highly emotional, at times veined with an aching yearn, at others a wistful hope Chaconne in D minor from Partita No.2 BWV 1004; before we are gifted ZORN’s embracingly soulful Breathturn: Part 1; which is itself backed seamlessly by the gentle, evocative melody of DEBUSSY’s Rêverie CD 76, the new recording coming to a close on HAZAMA’s Marimba Concerto No.1. - itself opening on the spirited fare of I. before guiding us through the enveloping II. whilst culminating on the vivaciously sculpted III.

Mika Stoltzman, marimba
(2) Richard Stoltzman, clarinet • Fred Sherry, cello
(4–6) Richard Stoltzman, clarinet • Eddie Gómez, jazz bass • Steve Gadd, drums
(1, 3, 4–6) members of the Boston Symphony Orchestra and Boston Modern Orchestra Project
Steven Lipsitt, conductor (1, 3) • Miho Hazama, conductor (4–6)

Marimba Concerto | 2nd Movement by Miho Hazama - [Official Video]

Official Purchase Link

www.mikarimba-stoltzman.com