Steve Johnson: Carl Orff Competition 2018 Starless Epitaph

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For Baritone, hand drum and harp.
Length: 4:43
Music Notation: Finale 2014a

Notes:
Set in the underworld, "Starless Epitaph" traverses strange ground, reminiscing of days gone by, longing for their return, only to be pulled back into the void once again.

Many sections contain ideas grouped throughout 5 measures. The number 5, representing constant motion and unpredictability, an emerging theme throughout the piece.

The harp is nearly continually in motion, stressing the urgency and importance of the visit into the "starless" realm. The harp part is flowing and legato throughout the piece.

The eighth note pulse remains consistent throughout, finding its way through multiple time signatures. The 9/8 section, first appearing in m102, consists of 5/4 and 4/4 superimposed throughout the first two measures, then moving to a more traditional 9/8 grouping of 3/8 +3/8 +3/8 for the next three bars.

The hand drum part, though used to create polyrhythmic dissonance throughout the piece, illustrating the dissonance of the living visiting the underworld, does naturally flow with the vocal part. The singer should find these connections and play the hand drum along with many of the vocal phrases.

In general, the hand drum part requires 2 sounds: a deep tone struck in the middle (with the palm), and a higher tone, struck on the edge of the drum (with thumb or fingers). In m56, the drum should be rubbed rhythmically, adding to the effect of "fallen rain" illustrated in the text and harp.

Homage to Orff and Monteverdi can be found (m74, 76), applying rhythmic function to Morse code.