5 SUBMIT
No More
music by Jeff Kimmel
text by Ruth Lepson
This setting of "No More" was written for the improvising ensemble
Boxcars to accompany Ruth Lepson reading the poem, and was first
performed in Boston on August 3, 2007.
When I first read the poem, I was immediately struck by how Ruth had
captured the varying sharp and pointed articulations in Steve Lacy's
sound. Through a musical setting, I strove to further punctuate these
sounds, include motifs and harmonies that appear in many of Lacy's
compositions, as well as to further define the momentum in the poem.
There is a general sense of pulse in the piece, but events in the
music are triggered by phrases in the poem, indicated by arrows in the
score.
Much of the last portion of the poem is designated as an improvisation
space for the musicians. After some rehearsal, it was decided that
the speaker could improvise as well, by varying the reading of the
poem and repeating phrases. Through improvisation, the musicians'
relationship to the speaker changes from accompanists to more equal
collaborators, and provides a complete tribute to Steve Lacy as both a
composer and improviser.
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