Kyrie
Browse Works
Instrumentation
Alto
2
Baritone
2
Soprano
2
Tenor
2
Solo Singer
Bass SInger or Instrument
Additional Information
Kyrie juxtaposes two separate musical layers, and requires them to interact
the first layer (for vocalists) is based on William Byrd’s Kyrie from the mass for 4 voices
in this layer I have fragmented Byrd’s music and constructed small cells
which each singer repeats numerous times in their own rhythm (based on their heartbeat)
I removed most scalar material and placed it in two semi-improvisatory solo parts
the second layer is for an open instrumentation and consists of a set of drones:
a fixed drone of an open fifth
a moving drone based on the same fifth
and a series of bass notes that contextualize the moving drones in relation to the harmonic series
singers in the first layer must constantly shift their perception of where the tonal centre is
due to the moving drones
players or singers in the second layer must not listen to the first layer, and instead produce
accurate drones and bass notes however possible (possible solutions discussed in further pages)