The Concerto N.2 for Vibraphone by Ney Rosauro was composed in Florianopolis, Brazil and Miami, FL from October of 2014 to March of 2015. It is originally written for string orchestra and low C vibraphone, although it can also be performed on the standard 3 octave instrument. As with the composer’s previous concerti, this work has multiple arrangements so that the soloist may perform the same solo part with orchestra, piano or percussion ensemble accompaniment.

The concerto lasts about 20 minutes and has 4 movements: I) The Roots, II) Interlude Pizzicato, III) In A Dream, IV) Celebration. The first and fourth movements each have their own distinct themes, yet share the main thematic material of the work. The concerto’s structure is well-balanced by the second and third movements, which differ stylistically yet compliment each other. The second movement, a short and graceful waltz, is characterized by the pizzicato sound of the string section. In the percussion ensemble arrangement, the pizzicato effect is approximated by a technique called dead stroke. The melody of the third movement was sung to the composer during his dreams. It suggests a place far above this world, and the hazy mood of both the introductory and coda sections creates a mystical atmosphere.

In the course of the concerto the soloist explores a variety of specialized techniques like the dead stroke and the bell sound like and also incorporates unusual implements such as a xylophone mallet and a double bass bow to color the work in a unique fashion. The spirit of the entire piece is represented in the title of the first movement, The Roots, as some of the ideas, themes, and harmonic passages are drawn from early and unpublished works of the composer.