TURBINE Musical Score 2015

BYRON AU YONG
歐陽良仁
TURBINE
for moving choir along the water
TURBINE was commissioned by Leah Stein Dance Company and
Mendelssohn Club of Philadelphia, conducted by Alan Harler, for the
200th Anniversary of the Fairmount Water Works · June 27 & 28, 2015
Duration variable (circa one hour)
February 2015
Performance Notes
TURBINE is for moving choir along the water. The score provides a template of filtered text and sounds. Inspired
by the historic and contemporary significance of the Fairmount Water Works, TURBINE invites water awareness.
Notation
& œ
Example 1
The score is composed in both an open and traditional western notation.
For open notation, start anywhere on the page and go anywhere.
Notes without stems can be for any duration: play with both short and long (Example 1).
Sing motifs without bar lines once, then go to next motif (Example 2).
Sing motifs with repeat signs once or numerous times (Example 3).
Sing notes in any octave, changing at will.
Dynamics are influenced by the location, lyrics and audience/singer proximity.
Rehearsal
TURBINE contains conducted and free sections.
Conducted sections are indicated with a tempo suggestion, e.g. 2.1 Gilman · Andante in 3.
As performers move throughout the space, TURBINE should be performed from memory.
Most sections include multiple singers, so it is okay to focus on a few motifs per section.
Structure
Letters indicate simultaneously sounding sections, e.g. 1A · B · C · D
Numbers indicate sections in sequential order, e.g. 2.1, then 2.2
I Prelude
1A By the Trees · B In the Gazebo · C Near the River · D Around the Plaza
II Grand Plaza
2.1 Gilman (Andante in 3) · A Dickens · B Twain · C Power · D Finch · E Murray (Vivace)
2.2 Quadrille Chorus (Presto in 4) · Quadrille Caller (Presto in 4)
III Gears
3.1 Gears (Adagio in 4)
3.2 Gears Coda (Adagio in 4)
IV Pavillion
4.1 A Drop (Moderato in 6)
4.2 Twilight (Moderato in 6)
4.3 The Guilty (Andante in 4)
4.4 Moon (Largo in 3)
4.5 Flood (Allegro in 2)
4.6 Transition (Adagio in 4)
V River Boat
5 River Boat (Moderato in 4
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Example 2
& œ œ
& .. œ œ ..
Example 3
TURBINE i prelude
As a group, meditate to the outdoor
sounds. Begin when cued by group
leader in any order, changing octaves,
and repeating at will. Rest to listen,
often. Blend your voices into sounds
within and beyond the trees.
1A By the Trees
gesture hand across shoulder
turn head with hand
& .. # œ
arch hand/arm
over to side
fingers like
water dripping
& .. œ
Byron Au Yong
œ
..
œ
WHIS - PER - ING
..
SOFT
¬
audible inhale/exhale
In two groups, alternate behind
audience follow them through the
trees, then circle back to begin the
next cycle.
¬
wind sounds
f
For final audience, both groups
gather and walk past Gazebo.
Converge in a triple feel. Sing
melody tutti when you reach the
pavement: "soft, whispering, the
stream there trembling round your
steps" and onto the Plaza.
wh
& ..
gently press right palm
forward with left palm
& .. œ
œ
œ
ROUND YOUR STEPS
..
¬o
whistle tones
s
circle head gently
& ..
œ œ #œ
TREM - BLING
..
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extend hand/fingers
in front of body
j
œ
œ
œ
THE STREAM THERE
..
TURBINE i prelude
As a group, meditate to the outdoor
sounds. Begin when cued by group
leader in any order, changing octaves,
and repeating at will. Rest to listen,
often. Blend your voices into sounds
within and beyond the gazebo.
1B In the Gazebo
¬
wind sounds
wh
hands near ears
extend arms
touch hands together
& .. œ
œ
..
œ
TI - MID CALL
hands to chest reach up
diagonally looking opposite
extend hands
j
& .. # œ œ œ œ
WHIS - PER - ING AIR
..
touch fingertips
draw horizontal
circle with arms
Begin as one group
close to the railing
facing the grass.
Section into three
groups: facing the
grass, facing the
river and with three
singers separated.
& .. œ
SWELL
step to side
bending knee
extend hand down
moving fingers
When group 1A walks by,
converge in a triple
feel and sing melody
tutti: "clear, whispering
air, timid call, swell,
melting" while exiting
Gazebo and onto Plaza.
& .. œ
¬o
throat sing
free overtones
rl
s
bent arm, elbow down
rotate hand by face
backwards then forwards
& ..
œ
CLEAR
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#œ
MELT - ING
whistle tones
¬
..
..
..
TURBINE i prelude
1C Near the River
As a group, meditate to the outdoor
sounds. Begin when cued by group
leader in any order, changing octaves,
and repeating at will. Rest to listen,
often. Blend your voices into sounds
within and beyond the river.
touch neck
pull hand forward
& .. b œ
œ
BIT - TER
..
¬
audible inhale/exhale
th
¬o
whistle tones
s
& ..
extend curving hands
forward and down
œ
œ
SE - RENE
..
Stand facing away from river.
When Gazebo singers pass,
converge in a triple feel
and sing melody tutti:
"bitter light, strength,
beneath the sky, serene"
while walking up stairs
and onto Plaza.
turn palms out
gesture arms to side
& .. œ
LIGHT
hand to eyes
brush hand over head
look up
j
.
b
œ
.
œ
&
.
œ œ .
hands clasp forearms
at chest level
step forward
BE - NEATH THE SKY
& .. œ
STRENGTH
throat sing
free overtones
¬
rl
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..
..
TURBINE i prelude
1D Around the Plaza
As a group, meditate to the outdoor
sounds. Begin when cued by group
leader in any order, changing octaves,
and repeating at will. Rest to listen,
often. Blend your voices into sounds
within and beyond the plaza.
step back
draw extended arm towards body
gesture fingers
& .. œ
..
COME
bend forward
hands on knees
shoulder forward
drop hands
& .. œ
œ
FRO - ZEN
¬
audible inhale/exhale
..
f
Alternate between sun dial
(a single file line) and two
walking groups about six times.
¬
wind sounds
When singers from 1A-1C walk
through Plaza, converge in a
triple feel, turn around, and
sing melody tutti: "balmy zephyr,
frozen, come rest, with slow
steps" while walking backwards
and merging with 1A-1C.
wh
parallel hands glide
back and forth
& ..
move arm overhead
arc across, look up
& .. œ b œ œ œ ..
BAL - MY ZE - PHYR
¬o
whistle tones
s
slowly sway
& .. œj
œ
WITH SLOW
j .
œ .
STEPS
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œ
REST
..
TURBINE I to II
1A-1D Transition into 2.1
Melodies from 1A-1D overlap as
groups gather on the Grand Plaza.
Stand close together with your hand
on the shoulder of someone nearby.
Walk slowly side-to-side for eight steps,
listening.
Arrive at stillness to sing...
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TURBINE ii grand plaza
2.1 Gilman · Andante in 3 (Œ = 96)
Standing as a group
Cantus
Firmus
3
& 4 .. œ
#œ œ ˙
˙
THROUGH DARK
CF
&œ
CHAN - NELS
œ Œ
œ œ ˙
WHEELS ROLLED
I - RON ARMS
j
œ œ
œ.
FEEL
THE COOL.
j
œ œœ
œ.
FEEL
THE COOL.
˙.
˙.
˙.
#œ œ ˙
˙
œ
THROUGH DARK
CHAN - NELS
THROUGH DARK
œ.
CHAN - NELS
FEEL
..
& .. œ .
FEEL
& ..
& .. œ .
FEEL
OUT
j
œ œœ
THE COOL.
˙.
˙.
..
I - RON ARMS
œ œ œ œ . ..
dn
dn dn dn
œ œ œ
& .. œ . œ
dn
& .. œ œ ˙
œ. œ
THE COOL.
& ..
œ Œ ..
WHEELS ROLLED
˙.
(T)
ROAR.
œ
..
dn dn
dn
d-n
..
dn
With hands connected,
move your arms in a circle.
Satellites 2.1A to 2.1E gradually spiral off in their own time as additional layers of movement and sound.
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..
j
œ œ
..
& .. # œ œ œ œ œ # œJ ‰ ..
Four singers continue
singing Cantus Firmus
like a continuously
turning water wheel.
..
˙
CF 2x
—
BREAK - ING BREAK - ING BREAK - ING BREAK - ING BREAK - ING BREAK - ING
THE COOL.
..
˙.
Group 2
After third time, add motifs below in any order keeping the triple meter precise.
—
j
œ œ
˙.
THROUGH DARK
CHAN - NELS
..
THE COOL.
& .. œ
Walk slowly as before. Group 1 sings Cantus Firmus two more times.
Group 2 adds overlapping waves of "through dark," "channels" and
"feel the cool" in any order, changing octaves, for any number of repeats.
& .. # œ œ ˙
FEEL
#œ œ ˙
˙
œ
j
œ œ
œ.
TURBINE II GRAND PLAZA
2.1A Dickens (Vivace over 2.1 Gilman)
Spiral out from Cantus Firmus like a satellite.
Start from and return to center cell.
Vary duration of stemless note.
Change octaves. Rest when needed.
& bœ
œ #œ
JERKED A - BOUT
&œ
œ
TURNED ON
& .. œ
AND
..
& bœ
œ
POURED OFF
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TURBINE ii grand plaza
2.1B Twain (Vivace over 2.1 Gilman)
&œ
Spiral out from Cantus Firmus like a satellite.
Start from and return to center cell.
Vary durations of stemless notes.
Change octaves. Rest when needed.
#œ
FIRST BRIDGE
& #œ
nœ
FINE DAM
& ..
œ
œ
WHEELS
œ
&œ
œ
œ
œ
bœ
PUMP - HOUSE
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,
..
TURBINE II GRAND PLAZA
2.1C Power (Vivace over 2.1 Gilman)
Spiral out from Cantus Firmus like a satellite.
Start from and return to center cell.
Vary durations of stemless notes.
Change octaves. Rest when needed.
&œ
&
PURE
& ..
&œ
#œ
œ
#œ
œ
œ nœ nœ #œ
œ
œ
œ
œ
NEAT - NESS
..
#œ
WELL - ING THROUGH THE PIPES DE - LUG - ING THIRS - TY STREETS
œ
& #œ
COM - FORT
œ œ
CLEAN - LI - NESS
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TURBINE II GRAND PLAZA
2.1D Finch (Vivace over 2.1 Gilman)
Spiral out from Cantus Firmus like a satellite.
Start from and return to center cell.
Vary durations of stemless notes.
Change octaves. Rest when needed.
&œ
SQUARES
& bœ
œ
RIGHT LINES
& .. œ œ
.
œ .
IN - TER - SECT
&
#œ
œ
œ
RIGHT AN - GLES
&œ
TREES
& bœ
SPACE
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TURBINE II GRAND PLAZA
2.1E Murray (Vivace over 2.1 Gilman)
Byron Au Yong
Spiral out from Cantus Firmus like a satellite.
Start from and return to center cell.
Vary durations of stemless notes.
Change octaves. Rest when needed.
&œ
STEAM
&
œ
bœ
œ
GRACE - FUL - LY
& .. b œ
œ
PO - WER
..
&œ
œ
PEACE - FUL
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œ
œ
CI - TY
TURBINE II GRAND PLAZA
2.2 Quadrille Chorus · Presto in 4 (Œ = 152)
In a chevron line formation.
& .. Ó .
..
œ
PINE
.. & Ó
!
Tacit
.. ¿ ¿ ¿ ¿ ¿ ..
>
d
d g d
.. ¿ ¿ ¿ ¿
T
d g d
n
Œ
œ
SPRUCE
..
..
T, Psh, Ks are forced plosives
lowercase letters are unforced
.. ¿
p
¿ ¿ ..
>
.. ¿ ¿ ¿ ¿ ..
>
p Psh
.. ¿ ¿ ¿
ch w w Ks
ts ts
n
..
(call from Caller) and response from Chorus
¿
¿
¿
(ALL ROUND)
& ..
Œ
œ œ Ó
WAL - NUT
¿
ALL
ROUND
..
.. & b œ . œ Œ
CHEST - NUT
Ó
..
Coda
subito
& .. b œ .
pp
œ
œ
œ
œœ
œœ
CHEST - NUT, WAL - NUT,
ƒ
& .. œœ ..
œ
œ
CHEST - NUT, WAL - NUT,
Ï
œ.
& #œ.
crescendo poco a poco
œ
œ
œ
.. 10x
œœ
œœ
œ
œ
.. 5x
SPRUCE, AND PINE.
SPRUCE, AND PINE.
Walk forward on the beat.
œ
œ
# œœ
œœ
CHEST - NUT, WAL - NUT,
œœ
œœ
œ
œ
SPRUCE, AND PINE.
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,
Stand in stillness listening,
then slowly walk to 3.1.
Soloist hums 3.1 melody.
Gradually join humming.
TURBINE ii grand plaza
2.2 Quadrille Caller · Presto in 4 (Œ = 152)
Call in any order as if instructing a celebratory social dance.
Combine cells in 2 to become Presto in 4.
Call through first two staves of Quadrille Chorus Coda.
Join final "Chesnut, Walnut, Spruce, and Pine."
¿
¿ ¿ ¿
¿
CHAS - SEZ DE CHAS - SEZ
¿
¿
¿
¿
¿
RIGHT AND LEFT FOUR
BACK TURN PART - NERS
¿
¿
¿
BA - LANCE AND TURN
FOR - WARD AND BACK
Ó
Tacit
call and (response from chorus)
¿
ALL
¿
¿ ¿
¿
ROUND
(¿
(ALL
¿ )
ROUND)
¿
¿
¿
¿
HALF PRO - ME - NADE
READ TO THE RIGHT
CROSS
ALL
O - VER
FOR - WARD
CROSS
TURN
PART - NERS
O - VER TWO
¿
LA BACK
¿
¿
DIES CHAIN
A - GAIN
BACK
TO
BACK
CHAS - SEZ
OUT
FORM
THE
RING
TWO
GIVE RIGHT
SIX
HANDS ROUND
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TURBINE iii gears
Stand with back to Gear House.
Repeat as audience walks around.
3.1 Gears · Adagio in 4 (Œ = 80)
1. Tutti
2. Outer harmony with rhythmic whispers & slow falling whistles
3. Inner melody with rhythmic whispers & slow falling whistles
4 œ
&4 J
MI
.. ˙
-
˙
RA
-
& 44 œ œ .. œ . œ
IN A
? 4 ‰ ..
4
&
IN
FROM
EX
-
˙.
THIS
RE
œ
˙
-
œ
œ
IN
A
LIN
-
˙
HAUS
-
˙
˙.
STONE
.. ¿
.
th
t f
(thir-ty four
.. ¿
-
NI
-
j
œ œ œ œ œ.
¿
>
Psh
pumps)
¿ ¿ ¿
th
t t v
(three twen-ty five)
..
¿ ¿ ¿
t
(eight
fl n
j
fill - ing flange)
.. ¿
..
¿
ch
vl
(check valve
.. ¿
d
(ed
-
¿
>
D
dy)
¿
>
T
seat)
TI
SER
BA - SIN:
Uo
¬
œ
A
slow
.. ¿
CUP
.. ¿
FOR
˙.
œ
PIS
fallin
g wh
-
s
ng
(seat ring
PLY
s w v
se - wer valve)
Œ
œ
œ
Ó
Œ.
Œ.
˙
THE THIRS - TY...
œ
œ
J
..
MI
.
œœ.
IN A
Œ
..
Ó
,
.. ¿
¿ ¿ ¿ ¿
Œ
˙
-
j
œ œ œ.
Ó
STREAM, CLEAR AND
TONS...
istle
ng
ring)
CAL
œ
œ.
¿ ¿-
psh
t
(pis - ton
SUP
VOIR...
s
..
..
BLE
w
-
AND
..
-
˙
˙
˙
˙
œ œ ‰ œj œ
DERS
Vocal percussion. T, Psh and D are
forced plosives. Chant while inhaling
and exhaling. (Gear names for reference.)
-
œ
Rhythmic Whispers
.. ¿ ¿ ¿
ME - CHA
˙
˙
AS CRYS - TAL
? ˙
CY
˙
-
j
œ œ
BRIGHT
LOUS
œ
SIM - PLE HAND - SOME BUILD - ING A WALL OF SO-LIDROCK, TWO POINTS GIVE PASSAGE TO A
˙
& .
œ
-
j‰
œ œ ‰ j œ.
œ
œ œ œ. œ œ œ œ .
œ
œ
˙
CU
˙.
œ
˙.
m
(m.
..
¿
g
g.
.. ¿
-
.. ¿
t
joint
¿
b
i
(buck - eye
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d
d.
¿
s
(six
..
¿
¿
¿ ¿ ..
>
m T
mo -tor)
¿ ¿ ..
b r
bu - reau)
¿
n
j
en - gine)
..
.. ¿
ng
(ring
¿ ¿ ¿.
..
¿
..
f
k
p
r
for com-pres - sor)
.. ¿ ¿ ¿
r ch
(ra - chet
¿
n
on
¿
sh
shop
k
crane)
TURBINE iii gears
3.2 Gears Coda · Adagio in 4 (Œ = 80)
Walk to Pavillion while
Trio sings Gears Coda.
b 4 œJ
b
& b 4
..
˙
˙
b
& b b 44 œ œ .. œ . œ
MI
-
RA
IN A
˙
FROM
b
& b b œ.
-
EX
˙.
THIS
œ
AS CRYS - TAL
œ
œ
RE
IN
A
STONE
˙
-
-
˙
j
œ œ
BRIGHT
CY
œ œ ‰ œj œ . œ œ œ. œ ‰ œ
œ œ.
J
-
˙
IN
? b ˙
bb
œ
CU
LOUS
ME - CHA
œ
-
j
œ œ
˙
˙
Ó
NI - CAL
Œ œ
œ œ œ. ˙
˙
œ
SIM - PLE HAND - SOME BUILD - ING A WALL OF SOLID
ROCK,TWO POINTS GIVE PAS - SAGE TO A STREAM, CLEAR AND
? b 4 ‰ .. ˙
bb 4
b
&bb
œ
-
˙.
œ
˙.
LIN
-
˙
HAUS
-
TI
œ
-
˙
˙
˙
-
BLE
-
œ
DERS
AND
A
œ
VOIR.
œ.
CUP
FOR
˙.
œ
PIS
PLY
Middle soloist sings
lyrics first time only,
then hums. Outer lines
sing lyrics every time.
œ œ ‰ œj œ
˙.
-
w
SER
BA - SIN:
SUP
Ó
-
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TONS.
j
œ œ
œ.
THE THIRS - TY
Œ
œ œ.
J
Ó
..
˙
..
Ó
..
TRA - V'LER.
œ
Œ
TURBINE iv pavillion
4.1 A Drop · Moderato in 6 (‰ = 118)
j
œ œœ
œ
b œ
& b b .. œ
Group 2
Extend arm over head;
lean in same direction.
GEN - TLE FRIEND
‰ ..
b
& b b .. œ . ‰ . œ œ œ ..
Group 1
in any order
changing octaves
8x
b
& b b ‰ . œ.
STREAM A HID - DEN
œ. œ. ‰
œ.
GOES PLAY - FUL - LY
œ
& b .. œ
Group 1
Extend arm over head;
lean in same direction.
& b .. œ .
œ œœ
œ
J
YES - TER - DAY
‰ ..
Group 2
in any order
changing octaves
‰ œ œ ..
8x
THOUGHTS HAUNT-ING
& b ‰. œ
œ
œ
œ
œ bœ
BE - NEATH THE GLOW - ING SUN
b
& b b .. ‰ œ œ
œ œ ‰ ..
A DROP PUL - SES
Tutti
in any order
changing octaves
Tutti
Arms bent; palms up.
Gently move hands.
b
&bb ‰ œ
8x
œ œ œ
œ
b
&bb Œ œ œ œ œ
œ
TORN ONE BY ONE AND SOLD
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œ
œ œ
THEN A - NO - THER AND DARK - ER
TURBINE iv pavillion
4.2 Twilight · Moderato in 6 (‰ = 118)
j
œ œœ
œ
#
& # .. œœ
Group 2
Extend arm over head;
lean in same direction.
‰ ..
GEN - TLE FRIEND
Group 1
in any order
changing octaves
#
& # .. œ .
8x
#
& # ‰. œ
.
œ.
STREAM
‰ . œ œ œ ..
A HID - DEN
‰
œ. œ.
GOES PLAY - FUL - LY
##
& # # .. œ .
THOUGHTS
Group 2
in any order
changing octaves
‰ œ œ ..
8x
HAUNT - ING
& .. Π.
# ##
& # ‰.
œ.
PART - ING
œ
œ
œ
œ nœ
BE - NEATH THE GLOW - ING SUN
TWI - LIGHT
&‰ œ
8x
..
œ
œ. ‰ ..
Tutti
œ Œ.
J
‰ ..
YES - TER - DAY
Tutti
Hand on neighbor's
shoulder. Sway in unison.
& .. œ
j
œ œœ
œ
## œ
& # # .. œ
Group 1
Extend arm over head;
lean in same direction.
CALL
œ œ ‰
-
ING
in any order
changing octaves
o
& œ.
œo œo œo œo Œ
(whistle)
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Whistle ad libitum
continues into 4.3.
Extend left arm out
horizontal to ground.
Look left and listen.
TURBINE iv pavillion
4.3 The Guilty · Andante in 4 (Œ = 84)
&œ
œ
IF
œ
THE CLOUDS
Chorus
Extend left arm out
horizontal to ground,
in any order, 1-4x
throughout 4.3.
&Œ
Chorus
changing octaves
8x
&‰ œ
œ œ ˙
SHA - DOW
œ œ œ Œ
THE GUIL - TY
œ
& Œ. J
Duo
Duo
Walk special pathway.
œ
œ
œ
THE FLUT - T'RING WINGS
& œœ
Chorus
HOW
œœ
in any order
changing octaves
8x
THEN
& ‰ œœ œœ œœ œœ Œ
Chorus
&
œ œ
œ
Duo
THE VOICE OF GRIEF
œ
THE FLUT - T'RING WINGS
œ
Duo
&œ
œ
œ
BE - SEECH - ING BREATH
in any order
changing octaves
Chorus
&Ó
œ
œ Œ
POURED OUT
U
& Œ . œj œ
Duo
Chorus
&œ
LOST
œ
œ
BE - SEECH - ING BREATH
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œ
ONES
Transition to 4.4 by
slowly bending head
and shoulders forward,
bend knees, then return
to standing.
TURBINE IV PAVILLION
4.4 Moon · Largo in 3 (Œ = 56)
Duo
&œ
HOW
œ
œ
œ
j
& ‰œ
Duo
SOFT THE BEAM
œ
œ
œ
THE GLOOM OF NIGHT
Duo
Walk special pathway.
&œ
Chorus
Slowly step to your left
moving as a group
closer to the river.
&œ
MOON
Chorus
in any order
changing octaves
œ
U
HEA - VEN
& bœ
œ
œ
œ
œ
FAINT - LY GLIM - MER - ING
&œ
&Œ
bœ
œ #œ nœ
STAR SPAN - GLED GLO - RY
œ
œ œ œ
WHIS - PER TO ME
Duo
in any order
changing octaves
U
&œ
œ œ œ
TELL WHAT A - WAITS
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TURBINE iv pavillion
Pick up water bowl.
Begin with wind
and water sounds.
Add other vocal
lines when cued
in any order,
changing octaves.
4.5 Flood · Allegro in 2 (Œ = 138)
& œ #œ
œ #œ
bœ nœ #œ
œ
nœ
œ bœ
OLD TREES LIFT THEIR TALL HEADS A - GAINST THE SKY
& œ #œ
DIM - PLED
& œ #œ
¬
wind sounds
wh
œ
œ #œ
DEEP AND SHA - DED POOL
& œ #œ
LEAP - ING
& œ
¬
audible inhale/exhale
f
,
Water
tap with nails
FLOOD
&œ
#œ œ bœ
MOURN - FUL EC - HO
&œ
Water
swirl with fingers
œ
#œ
o
¬
whistle tones
WHEN THE HUSH
s
¬
rl
&
œ bœ
œ
bœ
œ
œ
STEALS THE CALM
nœ bœ nœ
bœ
œ
œ
OH HOW ONE CHARMED WORD WILL START A THOU - SAND BREATH - ING
& .. œ Œ Ó ..
œ #œ
&œ
throat sing
free overtones
bœ
œ
ME - M'RIES
Tutti
On downbeat "flood," bend knees suddenly to spill water from bowls.
Continue under solo in 4.6 Transition until "justice journeying to harbor."
FLOOD
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TURBINE iv pavillion
4.6 Transition · Adagio in 4 (Œ = 76)
Soloist begins when cued.
Chorus quietly continues "flood" with water spill, then transitions to "justice journeying to harbor."
Descant begins second time through and continues ad libitum changing octaves through round.
Round starts third time through with "loved by stars." Divide into three sections that start every 2nd measure.
Optional audience sing along with "justice journeying to harbor." Walk and sing round towards final section.
#### 4
&
4
Descant
# ## 4
& # 4 œ
Solo
#### 4
&
4
Chorus
.. ˙ .
Œ
w
œ
start second time through in any octave
LOVED
BY
.
œ . ˙
LOVED BY
œœ œ
Descant
Solo
&
####
THERE
Chorus
##
& # # nœ
Œ
œ
PUR
œ
LIGHT THERE FOR
Ó
FLOOD
10
Tutti
&
####
Tutti
&
####
œ
œ
œœ
nœ Œ
œœ
JUS - TICE
œ
œ
œ œ
GING
Œ
JOUR - NEY - ING TO
œœ
œœ œœ œ
œ
JOUR - NEY - ING TO
HAR - BOR.
EDGE.
nœ Œ Ó
DEPTHS
nœ
Œ
œ œ
J
œ
œ
œ
œ
œ
JUS - TICE
œ
JUS - TICE
RE - FLECT ALL
Œ
FORMS.
nœ Œ Ó
Ó
FLOOD
œ
œ
œ œ
œ
JOUR - NEY - ING TO
œ œ œ
JOUR - NEY - ING TO
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Œ
˙.
FLOOD
˙.
œ
THERE FOR
˙.
œ.
Ó
HAR - BOR.
œ ˙.
œ ˙.
Œ œ
˙
FLOOD
LIGHT.
PU - RI - FY - ING STORMS, ITS
œ
Ó
Ó
w
œ œ œ
‰ j
œ œ
œ
nœ
œ
FLOOD
˙
-
œ
GAZE FROM THE SEA'S
FLOOD
JUS - TICE
14
nœ Œ Ó
˙
FOR
œ œ œ œ œ
TO
FLOOD
œ
PURG - ING
LEDGE,
.. n œ Œ Ó
##
& # # ˙.
œ
J
œ Œ Œ . œj œ .
œ
FLOOD
6
˙
STARS.
STARS
A GRA - NITE
first time through only
Œ
w
œ
˙.
HAR - BOR.
˙
HAR - BOR.
œ
.
œ .
LOVED BY
TURBINE v river boat
5. River Boat · Moderato in 4 (Œ = 108)
Boat Soloist sings "afloat fair city"
as Chorus and Audience enter.
Chorus quietly joins, pausing now
and then to listen.
Uo
¬
slow
fallin
g wh
istle
s
&
### œ
œ
&
A - FLOAT FAIR CI - TY
œ
œ
œ
THROUGH THE
œ
GATH - 'RING
œ
LIKE
I
œ
SHALL
j
œ œ
œ œ
œ œ
œ
A - FLOAT FAIR CI - TY
throat sing
free overtones
œ œ
¬
rl
j
œ œ. œ œ.
œ œ Œ œ
A STRONG GI - ANT
Boat Soloist starts with "ding ding ding"
Chorus and Plaza Soloist join
##
& # œ
###
U
œ œ œ
Plaza Soloist
(Chorus and Boat Soloist continue "afloat fair city" music)
###
&
TUTTI
in any order
changing octaves
&
œ œ œ
J
THAT HAS JUST RE - CEIVED THE BREATH
###
œ
œ
U
&
###
˙
DING DING DING
TUTTI
in any order
changing octaves
NE - VER FOR - GET
œ Uw
j
Œ
Œ
œ œ
œ
DING
DING
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LIFE
Œ
Uo
¬
s
œ
OF
slow
fallin
g wh
istle
Boat Soloist
(Chorus and Plaza Soloist continue "ding" music through "eye"
#
& # œ
œ
œ
œ. œ œ œ œ
œ œ
WHAT HAVE WE HERE? A RUD - DY FACE WITH A
&
##
œ
œ
œ.
PROUD - LY THROUGH
j
j
œ .. œ œ .
(Boat Soloist)
THE
WA - TER
j
œ œ.
WA - TER
œ œ ˙
œ
j
Œ œ œ œ . œJ œ ‰ œ
˙
CLEAR HO-NEST EYE
œ œ œJ œ œ
J
WA - TER
Chorus
Begin after first set of Soloist's
"water" in any order, playing with
duration and changing octaves.
AND THE NO - BLE SHIP
Plaza Soloist
j
œ œ.
WA - TER
WA - TER
# œ
& #
œ
WA - TER
j
œ œ
WA - TER
U
œ œ œ ..
J
WA - TER
WA - TER
Physically spread throughout Plaza.
Dissipate to listening and stillness.
#
& # œ
j
œ œ.
BREAKS
U
œ
WA
œ
WA - TER
WA - TER
#
& # œ
#
& # œ
œ
- TER
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TURBINE lyrics
I PRELUDE
1A By the Trees
soft
whispering
the stream there
trembling
round your steps
1B In the Gazebo
clear
whispering air
timid call
swell
melting
1C Near the River
bitter
light
strength
beneath the sky
serene
1D Around the
Plaza
balmy zephyr
frozen
come
rest
with slow steps
II GRAND PLAZA
2.1 Gilman
through dark
channels
feel the cool
wheels rolled
iron arms
feel the cool
breaking out
roar
2.1A Dickens
and
2.1B Twain
wheels
jerked about
turned on
poured off
first bridge
fine dam
pump-house
2.1C Power
welling through the pipes
deluging thirsty streets
cleanliness
neatness
comfort
pure
2.1D Finch
intersect
2.1E Murray
power
right lines
right angles
squares
trees
space
steam
gracefully
peaceful city
2.2 Quadrille Chorus
Chestnut, Walnut, Spruce, and Pine
2.2 Quadrille Caller
right & left four
balance & turn
ladies chain
half promenade
forward & back
cross over
chassez de chassez
back again
all round
back to back
read to the right
chassez out
form the ring
all forward
back turn partners
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two give right
cross over two
six hands round
turn partners
III GEARS
inexhaustible supply
from this reservoir
in a simple handsome building
cylinders and pistons
a wall of solid rock
miraculous mechanical
two points give passage to a stream
clear and bright as crystal
in a stone basin: a cup for the thirsty traveller
34 Pumps
Check Valve Seat
Seat Ring Sewer Valve
Ring for Compressor
Eddy
3-25
Piston Ring
Buck-eye Engine
8 Filling Flange
Rachet on Shop Crane
6 Joint Bureau
M.G.D. Motor
IV PAVILLION
4.1-4.2 A Drop (Story Telling)
gentle friend
a hidden stream
goes playfully
yesterday
haunting thoughts
beneath the glowing sun
a drop pulses
then another and darker
torn one by one and sold
calling
twilight
parting
4.3 The Guilty (Sadness)
if the clouds
shadow
the guilty
how then
the fluttering wings
the voice of grief
lost ones
beseeching breath
poured out
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4.4 Moon (Moonlight)
moon
heaven
faintly glimmering
how soft the beam
the gloom of night
star spangled glory
whisper to me
tell what awaits
4.5 Flood (Schuylkill)
leaping
deep and shaded pool
dimpled
old trees lift their tall heads against the sky
mournful echo
when the hush
steals the calm
oh how one charmed word will start a thousand breathing memories
flood
4.6 Transition (ASTRÆA)
loved by stars
a granite ledge
to gaze from the sea’s edge
there for purging light
there for purifying storms
its depths reflect all forms
justice journeying to harbor
V RIVER BOAT
afloat fair city
through the gathering like a strong giant that has just received the breath of life
I shall never forget
ding ding ding
what have we here?
a ruddy face with a clear honest eye
and the noble ship breaks proudly through the water…
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Lyrics compiled and edited by Byron Au Yong, from the following sources:
I PRELUDE
Critical and Poetical Works, John Penn (1797)
II GRAND PLAZA
The Poetry of Traveling in the United States, Caroline Howard Gilman (1838)
American Notes for General Circulation, Charles Dickens (1913)
Mark Twain’s Letters, Mark Twain (1853-1866)
Impressions of America, Tyrone Power (1836)
Travels in the United States of America and Canada, John Finch (1833)
Travels in North America, Charles Augustus Murray (1834-1836)
The Fairmount Quadrilles, John Hewitt (1836)
Gazetteer of the United States of America, John Hayward (1854)
III GEARS
Travels in the United States, Alexander Mackay (1846-1847)
Domestic Manners of Americans, Francis Trollope (1832)
Transatlantic Sketches, Captain J.E. Alexander (1833)
Inscriptions on Wooden Templates for Turbine Parts, Philadelphia Water Department (1920s)
IV PAVILLION
Essays, Philanthropic and Moral, Elizabeth Margaret Chandler (1836)
Early Poems, Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882)
V RIVER
American Notes for General Circulation, Charles Dickens (1913)
Research thanks to:
Adam Levine, Philadelphia Water Department
Karen Young, Fairmount Water Works
Leah Stein, Leah Stein Dance Company
Library Company of Philadelphia
Personnel for the Premiere:
Mendelssohn Club of Philadelphia, Alan Harler (music director/conductor)
Leah Stein Dance Company, Leah Stein (artistic director/choreographer)
Ryan Tibbetts, Austen Wilson (assistant conductors)
Jennifer Beattie, Shahara M. Benson, Jean Bernard Cerin, Josh Hartman, Alice McKillip
Thornburgh, Rebecca Thornburgh, Ryan Tibbetts, Austen Wilson (soloists)
Rich Tolsma Productions (video documentation)
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TURBINE
Program Notes
Alan Harler and Leah Stein brought me to the Fairmount Water Works in October 2013. The
park and historic plaza were alive with people enjoying the autumn day next to the glistening
waterway. Appropriately translated as “hidden river,” the Schuylkill turned from peaceful to
terrifying when the following spring, the water crested at nearly 14 feet. The May 2014 flood
brought a deluge to the Water Works. A place that was historically the source of clean water
became filled with debris.
TURBINE draws upon accounts from the heyday of the Fairmount Water Works in the early
19th century. Visitors marveled at human ingenuity building “miraculous mechanical…
cylinders and pistons” that worked with nature to provide “clear and bright as crystal, a cup for
the thirsty.” This text is filtered through a 21st century reality to produce lyric fragments.
Migration as well as water molecules influence the music. Voices seep in and out of the sounds
along the river. These include the noise of traffic and trains. Musical motifs connect and
disconnect in a free molecular flow.
According to the World Health Organization, a child dies from a water-related disease every
minute. More than twice the population of the United States lives without access to safe water.
How can we turn despair and rage into wisdom?
Singing and listening to a river in the middle of a city is a step towards “justice journeying to
harbor.” A turbine takes turbulence and transforms it into potential energy. Together we can find
ways to ensure that the 750 million people around the world who lack access to safe water are
given a chance to survive.
Byron Au Yong
Biography
As the son of Chinese immigrants in America, composer Byron Au Yong searches for ways
music connects people with the places they call home. Examples include Kidnapping Water:
Bottled Operas, performed in 64 waterways throughout the Pacific Northwest and Tzu Lho:
Simmering Songs, performed by The Esoterics and the Stanford Chorale. Au Yong calls
Seattle home; where the mountains & water retain power alongside 21st century technology.
This informs his songs of dislocation created to honor the ritual of people who gather to listen.
Special Thanks
Aaron Copland Fund for Music, Lora Allen, Sonja Bontrager, Alan Harler, Hermitage Artist
Retreat, Michelle Hollander, Adam Levine (Philadelphia Water Department), Deenah Loeb (City
Parks Association), Janelle McCoy, Edward McNally, Leah Stein, Leah Stein Dance Company,
Library Company of Philadelphia, Carolyn Linarello, Mendelssohn Club of Philadelphia,
Michael Moore, New Music USA, Philadelphia Cultural Fund, Gabrielle Revlock,
Saechew/Tolsma Household, Amanda Schkeeper, Skip Stotesbury, Thornburgh Family, Ryan
Tibbetts, Rich Tolsma Productions, Sharon Torello, Schuylkill Banks, Richard Tolsma, William
Penn Foundation, Wyncote Foundation, Karen Young (Fairmount Water Works)