Nathan: Missing Words
Expected to ship in 1-2 weeks.
- Composer: Eric Nathan (1983-)
- Format: Score & Set of Parts
- Instrumentation: Chamber Ensemble
- Work: Missing Words (2016)
- ISMN:
- Size: 9.3 x 12.9 inches
- Pages: 70
Description
for clarinet, bassoon, horn, 2 violins, viola, cello, double bass
"Missing Words" (2014) is an homage to Ben Schott's book Schottenfreude (2013), a collection of newly created German words for contemporary life. The German language has the capability to create new words through the combination of shorter words and can thus express complex concepts in a single word for which there is no direct translation in other languages. Such words include Schadenfreude, Doppelgänger and Wanderlust, and these have been adopted into use in English. with his new book, Ben Schott proposes new words missing from the English language that we can choose to adopt into our daily lives.
My piece is a series of short musical responses to the definitions of three of Schott's new words. The first movement responds to Schott's word "Eisenbahnscheinbewegung," which he directly translates as "Railway-Illusion-Motion" and defines as "the false sensation of movement when, looking out from a stationary train, you see another train depart." I have experienced this feeling many times, and while I know that the train next to me is moving forward I get the feeling that the train that I am on is actually moving backwards. I try to capture in the music this blurred sense of motion, the stretching and pulling of pitch and time in opposite directions, and the illusion of harmonic motion when the underlying harmony in essence remains static.
The second movement is inspired by Schott's word "Herbstlaubtrittvergnügen," which Schott translates word-for-word in English as "Autumn-Foliage-Strike-Fun." He defines it as the delight in "kicking through piles of autumn leaves." I began composing the piece in autumn, and did some personal research in the process (kicking through heaps of leaves myself), and it brought back memories of the fun I had in autumns of my youth. in this very brief movement I try to capture a joyous swaggering of kicking through leaves, the piles reacting differently to each kick, some kicks more successful than others.
The final movement reflects on the word "Fingerspitzentanz," which translates as "Fingertips-Dance," and Schott defines as "tiny triumphs of nimble-fingered dexterity," such as the act of threading a needle. in the movement, I reflect on the words "fingertips" and "dance," creating virtuosic music for the fingertips. The movement opens with the string players only fingering the notes, not bowing or plucking them. As the piece progresses, other uses of the fingertips such as plucking the string (pizzicato) is introduced and the music gains momentum, building in speed and virtuosity. It ends with a "tiny triumph" for the ensemble as a whole, where each member must nimbly "thread the needle," if you will, each placing their individual notes into the framework of a larger musical gesture.
"Missing Words" was composed for, and is dedicated to, Scharoun Ensemble Berlin. The movement titles of Missing Words , and their translations and definitions, quote text from Schottenfreude by Ben Schott. Copyright © 2013 by Ben Schott. Used by permission of the author. All rights reserved.
**Movements: ** I. Eisenbachscheinbewegung (Railway-Illusion-Motion) (3')
II. Herbstlaubtrittvergnügen (Autumn-Foliage-Strike-Fun) (1'30")
III. Fingerspitzentanz (Fingertips-Dance) (3')
Publishers use a lot of words to describe what they sell, and we know it can be confusing. We've tried to be as clear as possible to make sure you get exactly what you are looking for. Below are descriptions of the terms that we use to describe the various formats that music often comes in.
Choral Score
A score for vocalists that only contains the vocal lines. The instrumental parts are not there for reference. Generally, cheaper than a vocal score and requires multiple copies for purchase.
Facsimile
Reproductions of the original hand-written scores from the composer.
Full Score
For ensemble music, this indicates that the edition contains all parts on a single system (there are not separate parts for each player). In larger ensembles, this is for the conductor.
Hardcover
Hardbound. Generally either linen-covered or half-leather.
Orchestral Parts
Similar to a wind set, this is a collection of parts. In the case of strings, the numbers listed are the number of copies included, though generally these are available individually (often with minimum quantities required).
Paperback
When publishers offer multiple bindings (e.g. hardcover) or study scores, this is the "standard" version. If you're planning to play the music, this is probably what you want.
Performance / Playing Score
A score of the music containing all parts on one system, intended for players to share. There are not separate parts for each player.
Set of Parts
For ensemble music, this indicates that there are separate individual parts for each player.
Solo Part with Piano Reduction
For solo pieces with orchestra, this is a version that contains a piano reduction of the orchestra parts. For piano pieces, two copies are typically needed for performance.
Study Score
A small (think choral size) copy of the complete score meant for studying, and not playing. They make great add-ons when learning concertos and small chamber works.
Vocal Score
A score prepared for vocalists that includes the piano/organ part or a reduction of the instrumental parts.
Wind Set
For orchestral music, this is a collection of wind and percussion parts. The specific quantities of each instrument are notated.
With Audio
In addition to the printed music, the edition contains recordings of the pieces. This may be an included CD, or access to files on the internet.
With / Without Fingering (Markings)
Some publishers prepare two copies - a pure Urtext edition that includes no fingering (or bowing) suggestions and a lightly edited version that includes a minimal number of editorial markings.
Nathan: Missing Words
