JC MAYNARD
Text by JC Maynard
The Skipping Stone
On the shore of a fjord, A crescent of stones lay scattered and laden with green, Fair-found by the moss on the northern trees, They glimmered in sea-slick sheen,
Where a stone, there notched and gray
And cast upon the mirrored sea, Sent rippling, rippling waves
Daring the deep.
Program Notes
“The Skipping Stone” tells an allegory of braving the unknown through a tale of a rock cast on the sea Inspired by the enchanting forests of the misty Alaskan fjords, it mimics the sound of raindroplets on water through the piano’s meandering melodies and tranquil improvisation. Evoking the call to adventure from the Hero’s Journey, the music travels through various tonal areas as it rises to the occasion, accepting the quest into the unknown. It is a message of strength, fortitude, and encouragement in uncertain times.
Performance Notes
All glissandi are full duration when rhythmically marked on the score (the m 69 alto pitch bend and m.88 soprano pitch fall should be brief slides). In mm.29-32, the soprano soloist may sing down the octave if necessary. The “Huh-n” in m.31 is meant to evoke a guttural, fierce call, and should include an accented aspirated onset. In mm.33-34, second basses may remain on an Ab, singing “n,” if the Db is unattainable. From m.56-60, soloists should enter approximately as marked, but continuing in their own time, rhythmically accelerating in a cadence that mimics the pattern of a skipping stone’s rebounds off the water, fading out on the word “sea ” Though the conductor may still beat time in this section, solos need not be over-worked for “accuracy,” as the desired effect is free. From m.120-end, the pianist’s improvisation should gently compliment the choral drone, with patient space between each gesture and pedal sustaining throughout, never playing lower than a Gb3 or louder than mp. Example improvisatory gestures are provided for melodic context, and pianists may choose instead to simply play their choices from the notated suggestions rather than improvising. If playing from suggestions, the pianist should circulate through several of them at random, not repeating material. Conductor: indicate a gentle release to conclude the piece when inspired to do so.
The Skipping Stone
= 48(in 2)
= 48(in 2) (solo)
and up Where sea, on gray the mir notched stone, rored there and cast, a and gray and on Where notched there a rored up mir the and cast, stone, sea, and cast, up sea, rored and gray mir the on sea, and mir rored up the gray cast, on and
,
*Soloists: rhythmically as a skipping stone, beginning slowly and accelerating with each syllable, gently, at peace
pl waves, sent rip ing pl ing, rip
the deep, the
deep, the the deep,
deep, the
Conductor: as pianist improvises below, indicate subtle dynamic swells to bring out various voice parts of your choice <mp>
Continue, improvising in Gb Lydian for 20-40" with gentle, sparse phrases *See front matter for details
