Stretto (2018-19)
- Text: O Regina, Lux Divina (anonymous, 15th century), excerpts from Litany of Loreto
- Language: Latin
- Instrumentation: vocal sextet (SSATBarB), percussion quartet: 4 vibraphones (or 2 vibraphones - version 2022)
- Movements: 7 (attacca)
- Duration: 20'
- Commissioned by: French ministry of culture and Westdeutscher Rundfunk Köln
- Dedicated to: Ondřej Adámek
- Premiere: 10.5.2019, Wittener Tage für neue Kammermusik; ensemble Neseven (voices), ensemble Eklekto (percussion), Ondřej Adámek (conductor)
- Publisher: Breitkopf & Härtel (hire material)
Text:
o regina purrisima
regina angelorum
pro me rogita
regina virginum
sancta virgo virginum
regina sacratissimi rosarii
regina pacis
mater christi
protege benigna tuum filium
o formosa
plus quam rosa
sensum visita
stella sanctissima
sancta castissima mystica
sedes sapientiae
castissima stella coeli
rosa mystica
causa nostrae laetitiae
rosa protege tuum filium
lux divina matutina
turris davidica
omni laude digna
ianua coeli
tuum filium protege benigna
amen
Program Note:
(EN)
Sources:
Cicadas, their endless chant, polyphony of plenty repeated buzzings.
Pandits from Rajasthan, recording of their vedic mantras, many passionate voices repeating one tone in plenty of shadings and variations.
Ars subtilior.
The Litany of Loreto.
Tools:
One particular microtone. (The C lowered a 1/6-tone, creating the septimal minor third to A. Minor third with more sorrow inside.)
Territory where singing and speech overlap and knit.
Asynchrony of pulsating. Six similar speeds.
Czech pronounciation of t, k, p – dry, thin (no aspiration). When spoken lightly, like on tiptoes, it may sound like falling little drops of water or slight electric sparkling.
Phoneme families. The verses are reordered according to their sound to a certain families (a rattling family “rrR”, a buzzing family “zzzZ” etc.).
Martin Smolka
