Impermanence

Impermanence
Type
Piece
Composer
Karen Siegel
Composer Nationality
American
Composer Date of Birth
1980
Text
Rochelle Jewel Shapiro; Jonah 2:4-10, translated and altered order of lines by Karen Siegel
Year Composed
2012
Pages
33 (organ version)/29 (chamber ensemble version choral score)/37 (chamber ensemble version full score)
Minutes
11
Difficulty
5 (Challenging)
Language
English
Voicing
6 part mixed chorus
Divisi
No
Instruments
Organ or amplified chamber ensemble (fl dbl. picc, alto sax, pno dbl. synth, e gtr, e bass, vln, vc)
Extended Techniques
No
Sacred or Secular
Secular
Mood
Relaxed, dreamy, introspective; Dramatic, with dynamic contrasts
Description

Impermanence, for SSATTB chorus and amplified ensemble (ca. 11 min.)
This work juxtaposes a setting of Rochelle Jewel Shapiro’s poem The fireflies have barely winked their neon green with that of Jonah’s prayer from inside the whale (in colloquial English). The men and women of the chorus are divided, with the men singing the biblical text and the women singing Shaprio’s poem. The alternating men’s and women’s voices inhabit different sound worlds at first, singing in different textures and modes, and they gradually come closer together without ever merging. Originally composed for chorus and organ, this version was created for and premiered by C4: the Choral Composer/Conductor Collective and the Fireworks Ensemble (flute/piccolo, alto saxophone, electric guitar, electric bass, piano/synthesizer, violin, and cello) in 2012.

https://soundcloud.com/karensiegel/impermanence-excerpt#t=0:00
Audio Credit
C4 & Fireworks Ensemble, conductor David Harris
Group
C4
Performances
C4: 2012 May 30 & Jun 2 (Sparks Fly), cond. Harris (World Premiere); C4: 2016 June 9 & 11 (Organic), cond. Arendsen