Peter Ablinger
Countdown
from: Augmented Studies
vocal
(2014, released 2020)
choose any number to start with
count down to zero
"Countdown" is also part of another piece: "Doo-doo-dooh", here in a version of about 2 minutes, starting with "120".
Description of the part from the score of "Doo-doo-dooh": The singer starts now counting a countdown from 120 to Zero. The counting should not be read from a paper and also should not be rehearsed very much in order to create a "natural" irregularity while concentrating on the next number. The tempo of counting is more or less as fast as possible without too much effort. The whole countdown should last approximately 2 minutes. Dynamic: the numbers are audible for the audience. Rhythm: irregular, and not at all in a metric way. Also the numbers become slightly faster when the words for the numbers go from 4 syllables to 3 - and towards the end - also to 2 and 1. Thus the numbers 120 to 60 might take about 70 seconds, while from 60 to 0 should need less time and might last about 50 seconds. In other words: the average number of spoken syllables is more or less constant. In no case you should try to count one number per second - although this might appear appealing as we have 120 numbers and a duration of about 120 seconds. (english un-edited)
There was also a version I wrote in my notebook on behalf of my 60th birthday in 2019: listen, 0:48 (alternative player)
"Countdown" at Skaņu Mežs Festival Riga 2023 with LYRA workshop group; photo: Arturs Pavlovs
more from:
Corona Suite
See also:
Augmented Studies - The Series
Zeitstücke / Time Pieces
Jetzt / Now
