Marcus Karl Maroney: Touché

Marcus Karl Maroney (b. 1976) is currently Associate Professor of Music and Director of Graduate Studies at the University of Houston’s Moores School of Music after previously having served on the faculty of the Yale School of Music from 2002-2004.  His academic pursuits include research on the music and life of Swiss composer Frank Martin, for which he was awarded a grant from the University of Houston for residency at the Paul Sacher Stiftung in Basel. Mr. Maroney is on the Artistic Board of Musiqa, Houston’s composer-led new music presenting group. Commissions for Maroney’s music have come from such organizations and individuals as ROCO, eighth blackbird, the Orchestra of St. Luke’s, The Norfolk Chamber Music Festival , Timothy McAllister, the Moores School Percussion Ensemble, the Texas Music Festival, the Deer Valley Music Festival, and the Juventas! New Music Ensemble.  His works have been recorded on the Albany, Centaur and Blue Griffin labels, and are published by TrevCo, Seconda Prattica and Ever-Fixed Music. Maroney studied composition and horn at The University of Texas at Austin (B.M.) and Yale School of Music (M.M., D.M.A.).  His principal composition teachers included Joseph Schwantner, Ned Rorem and Joan Tower.   

About Touché, the composer writes: “I composed this little piano toccata in 2004 very quickly for a close
friend. The piece grows outward from repeated Ds in the middle of the keyboard, eventually encompassing the instrument’s entire range. Rhythmic energy and quick fingerwork are the primary concerns. Several twists and turns occur along the path, some almost comical in effect.”