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Ngano (1984) |
mezzo soprano, tenor, chorus (SSAATTBB solo or multiples), fl, 2 perc - 18'
I sketched 'Ngano' during March and April 1983, but progress on it was first interrupted by the composition of 'Vaudeville' for two singers, two mimes and seven instrumentalists, and then by extensive recital and teaching commitments over a four month period in Australia. I resumed work on the piece in December, and completed it in early March 1984. The piece is scored for two vocal soloists (mezzo-soprano and tenor), eight part chorus (S.S.A.A.T.T.B.B.), flute and two percussionists. Althoough the music is continuous, lasting approximately 17 mins, the piece follows the division of text into four sections, each being charecterised by slightly different vocal and instrumental forces:
1) solo tenor, male chorus,
flute, percussion (guiros)
2a) 2 vocal soloists, flute, percussion (bass drums) with 2 choral interruptions
2b) tenor, chorus tenors, flute, percussion (anvils)
2c) mezzo, chorus sopranos (2 soli), flute
2d) chorus, percussion (rattles)
3) solo mezzo, chorus (humming), flute: alternating with chorus and percussion (pebbles)
4) chorus (speaking), flute, percussion (log drums)
I have selected the text from various traditional rhymes and folksongs of the Venda Africans (from Northern Transvaal), the title 'Ngano' is used to denote songs sung during the evening.
© Michael Finnissy