for voice and saxophone quartet
*Syndrome:
The title for this piece is an alteration of the word syndrome, which means:
1 : a group of signs and symptoms that occur together and characterize a particular abnormality or condition
2 : a set of concurrent things (as emotions or actions) that usually form an identifiable pattern
The traditional listing of seven deadly sins is a group of signs or symptoms that characterize the condition of sinfulness in our human relationship with God. Hence “syndrome” becomes “sin-drome”
The concept for the piece explained above was done so by the author of the text Richard Hibbert. A while ago I asked Richard to consider “sin” as a theme for a new piece and as in the past he has created a stirring text that transforms the Biblical thoughts of sin to the human experience.
Writing for saxophone quartet was a great experience. In this piece I explore the vast range of color these instruments provide. There is also extensive use of extended techniques such as, sub tones, slap tonguing, and multiphonics.
This piece was premiered by the Adirondack Saxophone Quartet and tenor, Alex Diaz on March 19th 2011.
The Problem of Sin (spoken introduction)
What power is there inside
That holds us back
Or weighs us down?
What magnet draws the soul away
From the Source and Goal of life?
To find the way to wholeness,
We first must look within –
And then without.
I. Envy
By looking beyond the restrictive walls
Of the world I call my own,
I see what is different, and start to long
To be something else
Or to have something more,
Losing sight and losing ground
From who I am or am meant to be.
II. Anger/Wrath
Eating away at the fabric of a soul
The fire burns within –
Building and growing,
Stealing energy, sapping joy –
It feeds upon itself,
With no outlet in sight –
A destructive power left unresolved,
The enemy of hope.
III. Greed
Enough?
What limits can there be
To what I hold, to what I own –
Defining me by a hunger
For more –
Never to be satisfied,
Driven by discontent,
Until; I dwindle down, ending up
With less.
IV. Sloth
How long does it take
To find the way?
What strength must be spent
To last the day?
What choice will be made
Or who will say
Where it all will come out?
If one of us does not decide,
Then the other one may.
V. Pride
Look and behold the power of one,
A power none other can claim or achieve.
Listen and attend to a singular voice –
For no one else can speak with such flair.
Alone in my beauty, my wisdom and grace;
Alone in my charm and my poise;
Alone in my knowledge,
Alone in my wit;
I stand alone.
I am alone.
VI. Lust
An overpowering urge creeps into the heart,
Overtaking the spirit,
Conquering the mind.
Focus is blurred,
Energy depleted,
There is no time left to reflect
Or discern a better way.
Desire controlling life –
All else forgotten
And abandoned
And lost.
VII. Gluttony
The relentless sound of a driving force
A power beyond control
That takes control of the sense of self
Until unlimited, grasping desire
Defines the world.,
Creating an aching need
That can never be fulfilled.
Unrealized longing
Of an empty soul
In search of something/anything
That will satisfy.
