Imaginations I (1978/ rev. 2022)

Imaginations I ( 1978)

When I hit upon the idea of writing a composition for voice and piano I knew ahead of time that I would not be using an existing text, but a sound text of my own making. This would have many advantages, because I would not be tied to any musical illustration, but be totally free to evoke suggestions, and the voice would function as a musical instrument.
The construction of the words is as follows; The consonants from the alphabet are organized using a system of rotation. The vowels are organized according to two sound circles. Per word the number of syllables increases or decreases.

While composing, small interval series were used. Tension and release by means of increasing and decreasing intervals was the starting point. At the conclusion, which begins at the moment that the cymbal is put back on the piano strings, it becomes evident that the singer is singing something entirely different from what is in the score: he is reveling in the pomp and splendor of his own voice. The pianist refuses to go along with the singer’s antics and, finally, disappears. The singer doesn’t notice this until much later. Embarrassed, he then slinks from the stage.

The composition is here and there strongly influenced by the music of George Crumb.

Lyrics:

I
Kwàjdòmmòn módoen nuumien
hiemèl lávàl mògóçoel
oeltuuf iezèdá á ò
xòpófoes suuwief fèçápáwás
ràqàbòr róvoejoebuus siebèsaar
zoebuuf fielèdaaf làbòf
xòpòfoes suuwief fèçáwás
qàbàjòr róvoejoebuus siebèsaar
kùrùneutìn nìrìweegijnij rùkùneutin
kùrùneutìn mìdeevijdee nìmìveumeunùm
zàmàjàçòmòl lójoemuumietèçá (boes) mátèmieuutoel lómòjà
lòxoof foeguubie lèbálaaf
qwàjdòmmòn módoen nuumien nèdá
II
Màmònómoek wuujuudie
gielè vám çàmàhòmómoe
boedoezuuzuu tielèfá dàdòl
sòfòpoesuuwiesie xiepèsèfèpè fáwàçàpà
vàbròssoo broeruujiebrèjábrává jaaqaavraabrájáqájaavaa
hùnùpeuvìdìm pìpeemijpee pìvìheupeupù
jàtòçòmóloe zuumietèçá zálèhie uumoej ólòmá
màlzoz jótoe çuumietèçá mátèmieuutoel lómòjá
bòpoo loe buupielè fèxaa gaabaa
sòfòpoesuuwie xiepèsèfèpè fáwàçàpà
qwàjdòmmòn móhoek wuujuudie nèdá
vùdùdeu pìpìmìnì pìpeemijpee hìdìdeu-ùm
wùt greut krìt treenij ùreuteukì
ùpeupìpì eemij eevìdeuhùn
(èxlèbaagaapaa)

The pianist needs one kettle-drum stick (soft), one cymbal with a diameter of approximately 33 cm (maximum), one plectrum. Because of the use of the cymbal a concert-sized grand piano is not advisable.

Have a look at page two…
Have a look at page three…

Have a look at the organisation of vowels and consonants…
Have a look at the organisation of cells of intervals…
Have a look at the organisation of rhythm and pitch in B…
Have a look at the organisation of number of notes per measure in D…