WHY FADES A DREAM for baritone & mixed chamber ensemble
Calvin Hitchcock (2017)
INSTRUMENTATION Trumpet in B♭ Trombone Percussion 1 drum set (kick, snare, ride, hi-hat, 1 rack tom, 2 floor toms) Percussion 2 bicycle frame wrench (as mallet) 1 bicycle wheel mounted on stand (with folded paper/playing cards to insert between spokes) bicycle bell 2 woodblocks (high, low) Baritone (amplified) Piano Violin (amplified) Double Bass (amplified)
MOVEMENTS 1) 2) 3) 4) 5)
why fades a dream Darius Green and His Flying Machine beginnings 3 A X I S Control Kitty Hawk, 1903
DURATION ca. 15’
STAGE LAYOUT *should create pseudo-airplane shape
NOTES Why Fades a Dream is a systematic subversion of the idea that aspirations must die. The story of Wilbur and Orville Wright’s perseverance and fortitude against all odds demonstrates excellent evidence against this concept. Growing up in Dayton, Ohio as the middle sons of a preacher, Wilbur and Orville both showed great mechanical aptitude at a young age, opening their own bicycle repair shop on West Third Street in 1892. Their interests quickly turned to flight, the great experiment of the early 1900s. The piece opens with a somber setting of a Paul Laurence Dunbar poem contemplating the death of a dream. This shifts to a satirical and humorous accompaniment of J.T. Trowbridge’s 1910 short story “Darius Green and His Flying Machine”, showing the early 20 th century ideological obstacle Wilbur and Orville faced (i.e. “Stick to your sphere!”). The following 3 movements are musical explorations of the brothers’ personal and professional development, from childhood to their first successful flight. Whereas beginnings communicates the Wrights’ intellectual, religious and mechanical foundations, 3 A X I S Control depicts the drive and ingenuity which led to the possibility of actual heavier-than-air flight. The piece ends triumphantly on Kitty Hawk beach, featuring Orville’s victory telegram to his father. During the Industrial Revolution, the city of Dayton was a beacon of ingenuity and innovation. Having lived in Dayton for the past several years, this work is my attempt to celebrate both its rich heritage and future, showing that Dayton remains a place of innovation and success today.
TEXT I. Why Fades A Dream by Paul Laurence Dunbar Why fades a dream? An iridescent ray Flecked in between the tryst Of night and day. Why fades a dream?-Of consciousness the shade Wrought out by lack of light and made Upon life's stream. Why fades a dream?
That thought may thrive, So fades the fleshless dream; Lest men should learn to trust The things that seem. So fades a dream, That living thought may grow And like a waxing star-beam glow Upon life's stream-So fades a dream.
II. Darius Green and His Flying Machine by J.T. Trowbridge (1910), ed. Calvin Hitchcock If ever you knew a Yankee lad, Wise or otherwise, good or bad, Who seeing the birds fly, wouldn't jump With flapping arms from stake or stump. and wonder why he couldn't fly and flap and flutter and wish and try. If ever you knew a country dunce who wouldn't try that as often as once. All I can say is that's a sign he never would do for a hero of mine.
An aspiring genius, was Darius Green. The son of a farmer, age fourteen. His body was long, lank and lean. Just right for flying, as will be seen. He had two eyes as bright as a bean and a speckled nose that grew between. A little awry, for I must mention that he had riveted his attention upon his wonderful invention.
Darius was clearly of the opinion that the air was also man's dominion. And that with paddle or fin or pinion we soon or late shall navigate the azure, as now we sail the sea. The thing looks simple enough to me. And if you doubt it, see how Darius reasoned about it. "The birds can fly, an why can't I? Must we give in? says he with a grin, that the Blue bird and Feeby Are smarter than we be?" He kept his secret from all the rest, Safely buttoned within his vest. And in the loft above the shed, He locks himself with needle and thread, and hammers and buckles and screws, and all such things as geniuses use. Two dead bats for patterns, curious fellows, a charcoal pot and a pair of bellows, a carriage cover for tail and wings, a piece of harness and straps and strings, and a big strong box in which he locks These and other things.
Stepping carefully he travels the length of the spring board, and teeters a little, to try its strength. Now he raises his wings, like a monstrous bat, Peeps over his shoulder, this way and that, looking to see if there's anybody passing by. But there's none…He's going to fly! What a jump! Flop, flop, and plump!! To the ground, fluttering and floundering, all in a lump. Heels over head, and head over heels, dizzily down the abyss he wheels. Broken braces and broken wings, shooting stars and various things. So fell Darius, upon his crown. In the midst of the barnyard he came down. Shall we notice the MORAL here? This is the moral: Stick to your sphere. But, if you insist, as you have a right, on spreading your wings for a loftier flight, the moral is, take care how you light!
‘Twas the fourth of July and the weather was dry. Not a cloud was in all the sky. And 'twas the loveliest morning that ever was seen for a nice little trip in a flying machine. V. Kitty Hawk, 1903 Orville Wright’s telegram to his father Bishop Milton Wright December 17, 1903 Success four flights this morning all against twenty one mile wind started from Level with engine power alone average speed through air thirty one miles longest 57 seconds inform Press home Christmas.
PREMIERE May 1, 2017 Recital Hall, Cedarville University
written for Carillon Historical Park, Dayton, OH
Score
WHY FADES A DREAM I. why fades a dream Pensive
Trumpet in B
Baritone
Piano
Violin
Double Bass
B
cup mute
Why
fades
a
Vln.
D.B.
of night and
Faster
©2017 Calvin Hitchcock (ASCAP) All Rights Reserved.
a
dream
an
day
flecked in - be - tween the tryst
fades
11
Why
dream
should be slightly behind R.H.
i - re - desc - ant ray
Pno.
8 B Tpt.
Calvin Hitchcock
3
Why fades a dream
I. why fades a dream
16 B
3
of con - scious - ness the
Pno.
D.B.
25 B Tpt.
Tbn.
B
shade
wrought
by lack of light and
out
Slower
Pno.
Vln.
D.B.
a
dream
32
Why fades
up - on life's stream.
made
That
I. why fades a dream
33 B Tpt.
Tbn.
B
Vln.
D.B.
41 B
liv - ing - thought may
Pno.
and
-
-
-
-
-
-
3
3
3
like
a
wax - ing star beam
3
3
3
3
glow
3
-
-
Lest men should learn to trust
grow
3
-
(L.H.)
-
flesh -less dream
3 3 3
3
-
the
things that seem
Pno.
fades
37 B
so
Vln.
thought may thrive
Pno.
freely, parts need not line up
6
fades a dream
pizz.
6
So
pedal, let ring through end
u - pon life's
stream
the
so
fades
a dream
freely
that
II. Darius Green and His Flying Machine Satirical
Trumpet in B
Trombone
Percussion
Violin
Double Bass
Tbn.
Perc.
Pno.
Vln.
D.B.
pizz.
Darius Green and his flying machine
7 B Tpt.
Narrator
Piano
bicycle frame
sim.
arco
Open
by J.T. Trowbridge.
straight mute
II. Darius Green and His Flying Machine 14 B Tpt.
Tbn.
Perc.
D. S.
Pno.
Vln.
D.B.
3
3
3
Vln.
D.B.
21
3
scrape ride
3
An aspiring genius, was Darius Green. The son of a farmer, age fourteen. His body was long, lank and lean. Just right for flying, as will be seen. He had two eyes as bright as a bean and a speckled nose that grew between. A little awry, for I must mention that he had riveted his attention upon his wonderful invention.
rit.
3
3
If ever you knew a country dunce who wouldn't try that as often as once. All I can say is that's a sign he never would do for a hero of mine.
Pno.
If ever you knew a Yankee lad, Wise or otherwise, good or bad Who seeing the birds fly, wouldn't jump With flapping arms from stake or stump... and wonder why he couldn't fly and flap and flutter and wish and try
20 Narr.
pizz.
pizz.
II. Darius Green and His Flying Machine
Pno.
Vln.
D.B.
Tbn.
D. S.
Pno.
Vln.
D.B.
Darius was clearly of the opinion that the air should be man's dominion. And that with paddle or fin or pinion we soon or late shall navigate the azure, as now we sail the sea... The thing looked simple enough to me.
col legno
Narr.
34 B Tpt.
26
pizz.
arco
And if you doubt it, see how Darius reasoned about it. "The birds can fly, an why can't I? Must we give in?" says he with a grin, "that the Blue bird and Feeby Are smarter than we be?"
pizz. arco
II. Darius Green and His Flying Machine
40 B Tpt.
Tbn.
Tempo I
Perc.
D. S.
Pno.
Vln.
D.B.
45 B Tpt.
Tbn.
arco
D.B.
3
3
3
3
3
3
ŒÂ = Œ lj
3
3
3
broaden
Vln.
D. S.
Pno.
Perc.
3
II. Darius Green and His Flying Machine
49 B Tpt.
Tbn.
Perc.
D. S.
Pno.
Vln.
D.B.
Tbn.
Perc.
D. S.
3
Vln.
D.B.
3
3
3
pizz.
pizz.
3
58
second time only
plunger mute
cowbell
Two dead bats for patterns, curious fellows, a charcoal pot and a pair of bellows, a carriage cover for tail and wings...
spiccato
3
He kept his secret from all the rest, Safely buttoned within his vest. And in the loft above the shed, He locks himself with needle and thread, and hammers and buckles and screws, and all such things as geniuses use.
woodblocks
Narr.
Pno.
55 B Tpt.
3
3
II. Darius Green and His Flying Machine 62 B Tpt.
Tbn.
1.
D. S.
Vln.
D.B.
69
D.B.
3
3
straight mute
sul pont
arco
3
3
3
3
Now he raises his wings, like a monstrous bat, Peeps over his shoulder, this way and that, looking to see if there's anybody passing by.
Stepping carefully he travels the length of the spring board, and teeters a little, to try its strength.
with building anticipation
"'Twas the fourth of July And the weather was dry. Not a cloud was in all the sky. And 'twas the loveliest morning That ever was seen for a nice little trip in a flying machine.
Narr.
Vln.
plunger mute
Pno.
Pno.
2.
...a piece of harness and straps and strings, and a big strong box in which he locks These and other things.
Narr.
Tbn.
Perc.
B Tpt.
3 3 3 3
II. Darius Green and His Flying Machine
74 B Tpt.
Tbn.
3
Perc.
D. S.
Vln.
D.B.
78 B Tpt.
Tbn.
D. S.
3
Vln.
D.B.
squeak
all whistle
random glisses
bang on things
3
3
Tragically
bang keys repeatedly
glisses and squeaks
glisses and squeaks
milk it!
nonsensical cymbal "solo"
What a jump! Flop, flop, and plump!! To the ground, fluttering and floundering, all in a lump. Heels over head, and head over heels, dizzily down the abyss he wheels. Broken braces and broken wings, shooting stars and various things.
(indeterminate pitch, downward gliss)
mallets
plunger mute
pizz.
So fell Darius, upon his crown. In the midst of the barnyard he came down.
Narr.
Pno.
------- 4" -------
------- 1" -------
But there's none…He's going to fly!
Narr.
Pno.
Open
II. Darius Green and His Flying Machine
83 B Tpt.
Tbn.
Perc.
D. S.
Vln.
D.B.
Tempo I
bicycle frame
arco
Shall we notice the MORAL here? This is the moral: Stick to your sphere. But, if you insist, as you have a right, on spreading your wings for a loftier flight, the moral is, take care how you light!
Narr.
Pno.
III. beginnings Pulsing with energy
Trombone
Drum Set
Percussion
Piano
Violin
Double Bass
Tbn.
D. S.
Perc.
Pno.
Vln.
D.B.
bicycle frame
bicycle bell
bicycle bell
bicycle frame
4 B Tpt.
bicycle frame
III. beginnings
7 B Tpt.
Tbn.
D. S.
bicycle bell
Perc.
Pno.
Vln.
D.B.
11 B Tpt.
Perc.
Pno.
Vln.
D.B.
pizz.
arco
D. S.
10
Tbn.
III. beginnings 14 B Tpt.
Tbn.
D. S.
Perc.
Vln.
D.B.
Tbn.
D. S.
Pno.
Vln.
D.B.
bicycle frame
bicycle frame
bicycle frame
21
bicycle bell
bicycle bell
Perc.
18 B Tpt.
Pno.
III. beginnings
22 B Tpt.
Tbn.
D. S.
Pno.
Vln.
D.B.
B Tpt.
Tbn.
D. S.
Pno.
Vln.
D.B.
with mallets
(arise, my soul, arise - bretheren hymn)
with mallets
arco
(keep pedal down through m. 28)
26
straight mute
cup mute
III. beginnings
30 B Tpt.
Tbn.
D. S.
Pno.
D.B.
D. S.
Pno.
Vln.
Open
Open
35 B Tpt.
Vln.
Tempo I 34 6/16 + 4/16
III. beginnings
40 B Tpt.
Tbn.
D. S.
Pno.
Vln.
D.B.
Tbn.
D. S.
Perc.
Pno.
Vln.
D.B.
pizz.
arco
45 B Tpt.
III. beginnings
49 B Tpt.
Tbn.
D. S.
Perc.
Pno.
Vln.
D.B.
Tbn.
D. S.
Perc.
Pno.
Vln.
D.B.
53 B Tpt.
IV. 3 A X I S Control Mechanical
Piano
pizz. pizz.
Violin
Double Bass
Vln.
D.B.
8
Pno.
14 B Tpt.
Tbn.
Pno.
Vln.
D.B.
11
straight mute
(sparkling)
straight mute
IV. 3 A X I S Control
20 B Tpt.
Tbn.
Pno.
Vln.
D.B.
Tbn.
D. S.
Pno.
Vln.
D.B.
27
25 B Tpt.
Open
Open
IV. 3 A X I S Control
35
31 B Tpt.
Tbn.
D. S.
Pno.
Vln.
D.B.
D. S.
Perc.
Tbn.
Pno.
Vln.
D.B.
37 B Tpt.
IV. 3 A X I S Control
42 D. S.
Perc.
Pno.
D.B.
D. S.
Perc.
Vln.
D.B.
Pno.
48
Tbn.
Vln.
B Tpt.
44
improvised toms fill
IV. 3 A X I S Control
56 B Tpt.
Tbn.
D. S.
Perc.
Pno.
Vln.
D.B.
D. S.
Pno.
Vln.
D.B.
arco
pizz.
arco
pizz.
arco
arco
growing
66
63 B Tpt.
IV. 3 A X I S Control
72 B Tpt.
Tbn.
D. S.
Pno.
Vln.
D.B.
B Tpt.
Tbn.
D. S.
Vln.
D.B.
Pno.
81
86
IV. 3 A X I S Control
88 B Tpt.
Tbn.
D. S.
Pno.
Vln.
D.B.
94 B Tpt.
Tbn.
D. S.
Perc.
Pno.
Vln.
D.B.
IV. 3 A X I S Control
101 B Tpt.
Tbn.
D. S.
Perc.
Pno.
Vln.
D.B.
Tbn.
108
Perc.
D.B.
Vln.
D. S.
Pno.
106 B Tpt.
IV. 3 A X I S Control
112 B Tpt.
D. S.
Pno.
Vln.
D.B.
Tbn.
D. S.
Pno.
Vln.
D.B.
cresc.
cresc.
120 B Tpt.
cresc.
cresc.
cresc.
cresc.
IV. 3 A X I S Control
126 B Tpt.
Tbn.
D. S.
Perc.
Pno.
Vln.
D.B.
(opt. improvised toms solo)
choke
V. Kitty Hawk, 1903 Ethereal 12/8 + 2/4
12/8 + 1/4
bring out RH over LH
Piano
5 D. S.
scrape ride with brush
bicycle wheel - folded paper in spokes
Perc.
Pno.
Pno.
9 Perc.
pizz.
D.B.
Vln.
D.B.
V. Kitty Hawk, 1903
D. S.
Perc.
12 B Tpt.
Tbn.
Pno.
Vln.
D.B.
15 B Tpt.
Tbn.
D. S.
Perc.
Pno.
Vln.
D.B.
bicycle bell
with mallets
V. Kitty Hawk, 1903
18 B Tpt.
Tbn.
success!
Narr.
Pno.
Vln.
D.B.
december seventeenth, nineteen-oh-three
Tbn.
D. S.
D.B.
average speed through air thirty one miles
Vln.
started from level with engine power alone
Narr.
Pno.
mallets
arco
21 B Tpt.
four flights thursday morning / all against twenty one mile wind
longest 57 seconds
V. Kitty Hawk, 1903
24 B Tpt.
Tbn.
D. S.
Perc.
D.B.
26
D. S.
Perc.
Tbn.
Pno.
Vln.
D.B.
home christmas
bicycle wheel - folded paper in spokes
inform press
27 B Tpt.
Vln.
Narr.
Pno.
V. Kitty Hawk, 1903
29 B Tpt.
Tbn.
Pno.
Vln.
D.B.
32 B Tpt.
Tbn.
D. S.
Pno.
Vln.
D.B.
sticks
V. Kitty Hawk, 1903
35 B Tpt.
Tbn.
D. S.
Perc.
Vln.
D.B.
Tbn.
bicycle wheel - playing cards in spokes
Perc.
D.B.
Vln.
D. S.
Pno.
38 B Tpt.
Pno.
V. Kitty Hawk, 1903
41 B Tpt.
Tbn.
D. S.
Pno.
Vln.
D.B.
Tbn.
Pno.
Vln.
D.B.
44 B Tpt.
subito
V. Kitty Hawk, 1903
49 B Tpt.
Tbn.
D. S.
Perc.
Pno.
Vln.
D.B.
bicycle frame