DAVID LANG TOUCH NOT THE CAT FOR VOICE AND SOLO TAMBOURINE
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(ONE PERFORMER)
touch not the cat for voice and solo tambourine, one performer
instructions touch not the cat is a piece for spoken text and tambourine, more or less in unison.
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The percussionist must choose a single tambourine that is roughly the same size as her or his face. The tambourine should be held with both hands, horizontally level with her or his face, as near or as far from the face as is comfortable. The percussionist speaks the words of the given text and accompanies them with the tambourine, more or less in rhythmic unison. The text may be delivered at a regular tempo, or sped up, slowed down, or paused at will – but the piece should move generally forward at a quick pace. The text should ideally be memorized. The tambourine part may be played as plainly or as ornamentedly as the percussionist wishes, but in all cases the accents and basic shapes of the sentences must be duplicated in the tambourine part. The spoken part should be audible over the tambourine and the piece may be loud or soft, or any combination. Both the voice and the tambourine, or either, may be amplified if desired.
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touch not the cat should last somewhere between one and two minutes.
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touch not the cat
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touch not the cat is a 50th birthday present for Evelyn Glennie, a great percussionist and a great friend. Years ago I had the opportunity to write her a concerto for seven tambourines and orchestra, called loud love songs, and I thought I would remember that concerto with this short tambourine solo. One of the things I love about Evelyn is hearing her talk – she has a melodious voice and I wanted to take advantage of it. I thought how nice it would be for her to speak and have the tambourine be a kind of echo or shadow of her speaking voice. The question then was what she should say. Evelyn is, of course, from Scotland. My wife is a huge fan of Scottish lore and she reminded me of how colorful the mottos of the Scottish clans are. I took my fifty favorite clan mottos, changing them slightly by putting them in the first person, so that a single performer might use them better as a description of her or his own personal attributes. Happy birthday, Evelyn!
touch not the cat text (by david lang)
(spoken, accompanied by tambourine)
Grace, guide me
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I grip fast I grow green I have a strong hand I have courage that grows strong at the wound I have not followed mean pursuits I hold fast I learn to succor the distressed I live by sea and I live by land I live for God and you shall have my life I love I mean well and I speak well and I do well I move through difficulties I neither spare nor dispose I remain unvanquished I restore the ruins I shine not burn I stand fast I stand sure I struggle and it’s the greater satisfaction I think more I touch not the cat without a glove I will last until the end I will make you safe by my strength I won’t forget
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I accomplish the hunt I am brave and faithful I am brighter than the stars I am daring and fortune favors me I am faithful I am faithful and strong I am far from all fear I am fierce with the fierce I am late but in earnest I am never behind I am never unprepared I am ready I am roused with song I am strong and I am right I am sweet when I am in danger I am sweeter, after difficulties I am wise, if sincere I am without fear I am without stain I can, if I can I consider the end I do and I hope I exceed my reputation by my deeds I flourish again I flourish in both sun and shade
RNY 1167
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