CHRISTOPHER TIN

the drop that contained the sea

a song cycle

Full Score

For , ethnic percussion, soloists and large chorus

(rev. 3/2/2018)

(2005 - 2009)

www.christophertin.com

the drop that contained the sea

a song cycle by

CHRISTOPHER TIN

01. Water Prelude variations on the word ‘water’ Proto-Indo-European 02. Haktan Gelen Şerbeti “The Drink from God” Turkish 03. Temen Oblak “Dark Clouds” Bulgarian 04. Iza Ngomso “Come Tomorrow” Xhosa 05. Tsas Narand Uyarna “The Heart of Snow” Mongolian 06. Passou o Verão “Summer Has Gone” Portuguese 07. Devipravaha “Goddess River” 08. Seirenes “Sirens” Ancient Greek 09. Haf Gengr Hriðum “The Storm-Driven Sea” Old Norse 10. Waloyo Yamoni “We Overcome the Wind” Lango

TEXTS

Water Prelude (variations on the word ‘water’)

PROTO-INDO-EUROPEAN

Though short, the “Water Prelude” serves an important function: to define the ‘water’ motif, the seven-note descending/ascending pattern that is encoded throughout the rest of the song cycle. In keeping with the Sufi concept of The Drop That Contained the Sea, I chose to set the prelude in Proto- Indo-European, the original root language from which the vast majority of modern languages can trace their origin. Just as a drop of water contains the essence of the entire ocean, Proto-Indo- European contains the essence of all language. It is the original linguistic Drop.

The end of the movement is my unorthodox version of an overture. The orchestra climbs upwards in a churning, growling motion; all the while fragments of the remaining nine movements are heard at random in the swirl of sound.

First performed April 13, 2014 at Carnegie Hall, New York, NY by the Distinguished Concerts Orchestra and Choir, conducted by Jonathan Griffith.

wódr water wédns of the water wédoːr the waters ħákwaħ water ħrósaħ moisture hróːs moisture udéni in the water

Translation by Andrew Byrd

Haktan Gelen Şerbeti (The Drink from God)

TURKISH

Adapted from a poem by Yunus Emre

This piece was inspired both by my research into the great Turkish mystic Yunus Emre, and the whirling practice of the Mevlevi Order, otherwise known as the 'Whirling Dervishes'.

Commissioned by DCINY to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of TURKSOY and as a gift from the citizens of the to the Turkish People. First performed June 3, 2013 at the University Concert Hall, Eskişehir, Turkey by the Presidential Symphony Orchestra and Jonathan Griffith Singers, conducted by Jonathan Griffith.

Haktan gelen şerbeti içtik elhamdülillah The drink sent down from Truth, we drank it, glory be to God. Şol kudret denizini geçtik elhamdülillah And we sailed over the Ocean of Power, glory be to God. Kuru idik yaş olduk ayak idik baş olduk We were dry, but we moistened. We became feet we became the head Kanatlandık kuş olduk uçtuk elhamdülillah We grew wings and became birds, and flew, glory be to God.

Şol karşıki dağları meşeleri bağları Beyond those hills and oak woods, beyond those vineyards and gardens, Sağlık sefalık ile geçtik elhamdülillah we passed in health and joy, glory be to God. Vardığımız illere şol sefa gönüllere To whatever lands we came, in whatever hearts, in all humanity, Baba Tapduk ma'nisin saçtık elhamdülillah We planted the meanings Taptuk taught us, glory be to God. Dirildik pınar olduk ırıldık ırmak olduk We became a trickle that grew into a river. We took flight and drove into the sea, Aktık denize daldık taştık elhamdülillah and then we overflowed, glory be to God.

Beri gel barışalım yâd isen bilişelim Come here, let's make peace, let's not be strangers to one another. Atımız eğerlendi eştik elhamdülillah We have saddled the horse and trained it, glory be to God.

Translation by Kabir Helminski

{inspired by water}

INSTRUMENTATION

2 Flutes (2d Piccolo) 1 Bass Trombone 2 Oboes (2d Eng. Horn) 1 Tuba 2 Clarinets in Bb (2d Bass Clarinet) Timpani 2 Bassoons (2d Contrabassoon) 5 Percussion 4 Horns Piano (d. Celeste) 3 Trumpets in C Harp 2 Trombones Strings (12, 12, 10, 8, 6 preferred)

PERCUSSION REQUIREMENTS

Percussion 1: Tam-tam, Gongs in A and C Percussion 2: Suspended Cymbal, Piatti, Singing Bowls, Wind Chimes, Whip Percussion 3: Gran Cassa, Daf Percussion 4: Chimes, Shaker, Tambourine, Riq, Chimes, Glockenspiel, Xylophone, Finger Cymbals Percussion 5: Udu (with Extra Skin Head if Possible), Darbuka, Djembe, Frame Drum, Tabla, Snare Drum, Tom-toms (4)

VOCAL FORCES

1. SSATB 6. Solo Mezzo 2. SATB with Solo Mezzo, Solo Tenor 7. SMsATB with Solo Alto 3. SSA or SATB 8. SSAA Vocal Quartet or Female Choir 4. SMsATBarB with Solo Tenor 9. SMsATBarB 5. SMsATB with Solo Soprano and Throat 10. SMsATBarB with Solo Tenor, Solo Mezzo Singer