Mesostichon I [Traum April 03]
for one singing pianist and CD playback
or
high female singer, melody instrument and CD playback
Sven Hermann [Dezember 2003]

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The piece was composed for amateur musicians with technical difficulties reduced to a minimum, expecting nevertheless extreme vigilance and sensitive hearing. Mesostichon I [Traum April 03] is conceived in such a way that the piano [or melody instrument] presents one note that is taken up by the singer. Using a sinus wave as a point of reference, the note should be sung senza vibrato if possible and without any false emotionality. The formal and mainly rhythmical grid is provided by the CD playback emphasising the beginning of each measure and keeping time. Each measure has its own pulse, e.g. quarter note = 45,45 or quarter note = 52.92 - tempo proportions impossible to realise without the use of the CD. The musician often only receives two metronome impulses having to continue the pulse in her head. The text is the transcription of a dream, reconstructed as a mesostichon on the word "Traum" ["dream"]. This form becomes Mesostichon I [Traum April 03].

Traum 2 [April 2003] Sven Hermann

Ich begegne einem kleinen, dicken Mädchen mit Mops an der Leine. Sie schau
t  mich
schüchtern aus den Schlangenpupillen ih
r er
gelben Augen 
a n. Ich
wende mich dem Mops zu, welcher ein leuchtend buntes Fell und blaue A
u gen eines
menschlichen Säuglings hat und sage: "Was bist Du denn für einer? Na, ko
m m mal
 
her." Der Hund springt nervös auf, wedel
t  mit
seinem Ringelschwänzchen und kommt näher. Er sagt: "Ja". "Du kannst ja sp
r echen."
"Ja." "Kannst Du noch mehr sagen als -ja-?" "J
a ." Der
Hund wedelt blöde weiter wie alle Hunde es tun
u nd
versteht "blablah", nicht
m ehr.

[duration: 10'50''
first performance with high female singer, flute and CD playback

23 February 2004, University Potsdam/Germany, Tobias Reiser and Asja Khojojan]