Litany for the Whale



Category: Musical composition
Dated: New York City, July 1980
Instrumentation: Recitation and 32 responses for 2 equal voices without vibrato
Duration: 25'
Premiere and performer(s):
Dedicated to:
Choreography: ---
Published: Edition Peters 66880 © 1981 by Henmar Press.
Reprinted in "Whales, a celebration", edited by Greg Batenby.
Manuscript: Score (holograph, signed, in ink - 4 lv.) in New York Public Library


The text consists of the letters for the word WHALE, with a specific pitch attached to each letter of the word. A 'word' is sung in one breath by pronouncing each letter seperately and giving the same time to each letter, except the last one, which is to be sung longer than the others.
The first singer sings the recitation, the second singer sings the response. A silence follows being continued by the second recitation to be sung by the second singer as well. The first singer gives the second response etcetera.
Everything should be performed quietly and without dynamic changes.