What a Wonderful World-SAMPLE

GEORGE DAVID WEISS & BOB THIELE

WHAT A WONDERFUL WORLD arranged for solo marimba

by Alex Stopa

What A Wonderful World Words and Music by George David Weiss and Bob Thiele © 1967 (Renewed) by Range Road Music Inc., Quartet Music and Abilene Music, Inc. This arrangement © 2019 by Range Road Music Inc., Quartet Music and Abilene Music, Inc. All Rights for Range Road Music Inc. administered by Round Hill Carlin, LLC All Rights for Quartet Music administered by BMG Rights Management (US) LLC All Rights for Abilene Music, Inc. administered Worldwide by Imagem Music LLC International Copyright Secured. All Rights Reserved. Used by Permission.

Reprinted by permission of Hal Leonard LLC and ALFRED MUSIC.

TSPCS19-010

Louis Armstrong’s iconic recording of What a Wonderful World is loved and recognized by all. Remarkably, this peaceful pop ballad, with its uplifting and optimistic lyrics, was composed and recorded during a tumultuous period in American history.

In 1967, the Vietnam war was raging, Martin Luther King was campaigning for civil rights amid race riots around the country, and the “Summer of Love” brought nearly 100,000 youth (‘hippies,’ as they were known) to San Francisco. These events embodied a climate of intense social and political unrest in America.

Amidst this turmoil, at an all-night recording session in Las Vegas, Louis Armstrong recorded What a Wonderful World. Juxtaposed against this political and social turbulence, What a Wonderful World, with its positive message of peace and tolerance, could appear out of place. It seems to recall a simpler time. Musicians and artists, however, have long held up a mirror to society, and it’s quite likely that composer George Weiss and lyricist Bob Thiele wrote the song after seeing how Louis Armstrong’s music helped to bring people of different races together.

Over 50 years later, Louis Armstrong’s performance of What a Wonderful World continues to resonate with listeners. The lyrics retain their poignancy and serve as an enduring reminder of benevolence and the human spirit.

This arrangement for solo marimba leads the original melody through a few unexpected twists and turns, while showcasing the mellow and warm tonal nuances of the marimba.

Harmonically, it draws influence from the jazz idiom for which Louis Armstrong was famous.

—Alex Stopa

Level: Med-Advanced Approx. playing time: 3'40"

WHAT A WONDERFUL WORLD GEORGE DAVID WEISS & BOB THIELE ARRANGED FOR MARIMBA BY ALEX STOPA

Sempre rubato et espressivo q = ca. 74

5-octave marimba ( w/ low F options)

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* Play notes in parentheses only if performing on a 4.5-octave instrument.

What A Wonderful World Words and Music by George David Weiss and Bob Thiele © 1967 (Renewed) by Range Road Music Inc., Quartet Music and Abilene Music, Inc. This arrangement © 2019 by Range Road Music Inc., Quartet Music and Abilene Music, Inc. All Rights for Range Road Music Inc. administered by Round Hill Carlin, LLC All Rights for Quartet Music administered by BMG Rights Management (US) LLC All Rights for Abilene Music, Inc. administered Worldwide by Imagem Music LLC International Copyright Secured. All Rights Reserved. Used by Permission.

Reprinted by permission of Hal Leonard LLC and Alfred Music.

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WHAT A WONDERFUL WORLD - Weiss & Thiele; arr. Stopa

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WHAT A WONDERFUL WORLD - Weiss & Thiele; arr. Stopa

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a tempo

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(4.5 marimba)

51

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3

* * Strike all 4 notes together, then roll.

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