A Stillness That Moves
for soprano, baritone, clarinet, viola and percussion
Shih-Hui Chen
A Stillness That Moves, written for soprano, baritone, clarinet, viola and percussion, is a site-specific, theatrical work commissioned by Houston Grand Opera for the Rothko Chapel in Houston Texas. The four-line motto of the Chapel serves as the text for the entire piece. Because Rothko Chapel’s mission is to foster meaningful connections and to emphasize non-division among religions and cultures, I’ve incorporated translations of these lines in different languages as well as in the original English text into this work. I am indebted to my Civitella fellows of spring 2022, who generously provided translations in the languages they speak. Their involvement in this project not only commemorates our wonderful residency, but also highlights our diversity and unity, in line with Rothko Chapel’s vision.
a stillness that moves a quiet disruption a sanctuary for the seeker all are welcome
寂静�的波瀾 請輕輕地暫停、放下 這探索者的聖殿 ⼈⼈都歡迎
Rothko Chapel, Houston/TX
Shih-Hui Chen, Taiwan/USA
una quietud que conmueve una interrupción silenciosa un santuario por los que buscan todos son bienvenidos
Mario Chard, Argentina/USA
uma calma que se move uma perturbação silenciosa um santuário para os que buscam todos são bem-vindos
Emilio Fraia, Brazil
una quiete in movimento una silenziosa interruzione un santuario per il bisognoso tutti sono benvenuti
Greta Caseti, Italy
Tamara Al Samerrae, Beirut
un calme mobile une tranquille agitation un sanctuaire pour le chercheur tout le monde y est bienvenu
Maylis de Kerangal, France
променяща се неподвижност тихо смущение убежище за търсещия
Iana Boukova, Bulgaria/Greece
Iana Boukova, Bulgaria/ Greece
nischalavilli Chalisuvudu suptha Ullanghane sadhakara Abhaya thanavidu ellarigu Suswagatha
Vivek Shanbhag, India
eine bewegende Stille eine sanfte Unterbrechung ein Zufluchtsort für Suchende alle sind willkommen
Ying Wang, China/Germany
mir koji se pomera tihi prekid utočište za tragača dobrodošlica svima
Sandra Popadic, Serbia/USA
Baritone
Clarinet/Bass Clarinet Percussion
Percussion Map
Position/Stage Layout
Four music stands are needed.