The Normal (2005) 18 min
voice, flute/bass flute, clarinet/bass clarinet, trombone, accordion, viola, cello
text: Vladimir Sorokin, «Norma», parts 2 and 8
written for the project of The Pro Arte Foundation and Structural Resistance Group
Written for the project by the Pro Arte Foundation and Structural
Resistance Composers’ Group «Orthography». Text used by the autor’s
permission.
Chapter Eight of Sorokin’s «Norma» mocks Soviet novel style. The piece,
manifold by purpose, has nevertheless a clear and a bit static
strophical form. Solo voice leads the editorial board reading the
fragments of «articles» taken from the Chapter Two of «Norma» and
ascending toward the paroxism of cadenza. Players discuss and resume
soloist’s reports, also misbehaving and merging finally in a
pseudo-classical chorus. The solo part comprises a wide range of vocal
possibilities from inhalation multiphonics to «sweet» counter-tenorism,
from Sprechstimme to cheap imitation of Buddhist temple singing.