Tania León Ethos for Piano and String Quartet
Contents I. In the cage where the heart paces ............................ 1 II. blaze of lights ........................................................ 16 III. Viridian. Ochre. Cobalt blue. .............................. 30
Ethos (2013) is dedicated to Isaiah Sheffer (1935-2012), co-founder and Artistic Director of Symphony Space, New York City, and host of the radio series “Selected Shorts.” It was commissioned by Symphony Space with support from the New York State Council on the Arts Individual Artists Program, and written for Ursula Oppens and the Cassatt Quartet, who gave the premiere. Ethos is a work with a range of stylistic devices, influences, and references from Western music, evoking traditional roots of a diverse mixture of ideas and traditions. I gratefully acknowledge the generosity of Susannah Sheffer for offering her poems, which inspired the titles of the movements; and of Ethel Sheffer for lending me CDs that were dear to Isaiah. One CD in particular, sung by Moishe Oysher, resonated with the intention of the piece. Two selections from the CD were sources of inspiration for the first two movements of the work: “Greene Bletter” (a Yiddish folk song) in the first movement; and “Hayom” (a cantorial song performed during Rosh Hashanah) in the second. I. In the cage where the heart paces The work opens with a series of meditative chords in a slow processional pace of movement and stillness. The processional pace gives way to a myriad of propelling lines in contrast to a series of emerging rhythmical structures. A multitude of fast passages in swirling motions, while notated, may be perceived as improvised. II. blaze of lights In the second movement, the whirlpool of propulsive rhythmic impulses weave into tapestries and mixtures of different musical worlds. Calls and responses evoke conversational interactions for traditional chamber music participation. The movement ends with a fragment inspired by the Cantorial song “Hayom,” recalling the slow processional pace of movement and stillness. III. Viridian. Ochre. Cobalt blue. The third movement may be translated as my homage to a joyful spirit that is characteristically jazzy. A distinctive sonic territory engulfed in a liberal mix of Latin and jazz musical elements is imbued with a final whirlpool of rhythmic pulses. —Tania León
Titles of the movements are from “This Kind of Knowing” Copyright © 2013 by Susannah Sheffer All rights reserved. First Edition Cooper Dillon Books San Diego, California www.CooperDillon.com Used by permission of Susannah Sheffer I. From the poem WHAT HAPPENS (page 1) II. From the poem FLYING AGAIN (page 18) III. From the poem IN THE STUDIO (page 25)
in memory of Isaiah Sheffer written for Ursula Oppens and Cassatt String Quartet
Ethos I. In the cage where the heart paces, Tania León
Meditative, very peaceful q = 40
Violin I Violin II
Viola
Violoncello
6 4 6 4 6 4 6 4
Meditative, very peaceful q = 40
l.v.
6 4 Piano
ppp
3
6
6 4
pp
4
* p
pp * pp * p
pp *
p
pp 3 3
pp
7
3 3
mp
* The l.v. tie indicates extend the pitch briefly. The notation in these measures is proportional. © Copyright 2014 by IROKO Music Songs of Peer, Ltd., Administering Publisher for the World International Copyright Secured. All Rights Reserved.
pp
2 sul tasto 8
pp ghostly
p
3
3
3
3
p pp
poco rall. 11
q = 46
poco accel. ord.
3 4
con sord.
6 4
III
ppp
pp
con sord.
3 4
6 4
II
III
ppp
3 4
pp
con sord.
con sord.
q = 46 l.v.
3 4
*Stop tone: press at base of string
mp
6 4
ppp
poco accel.
p
6 4
ppp
3 4
poco rall.
*
3 III
3 4
6 4 6 4
pp
poco
3 14
6 4 6 4 ppp
6 4 6 4
6 4
9
pp
p
6 4
6
poco
Più mosso 16
3
mfpp
3
mp
mfpp
mp 3
I
ppp
mfpp
mfpp 9
pp
3
mp
5 3
mp
Più mosso
poco
4 3
3
18
3
f 3
mp
3
f
3
3
f 3
mp 3
3
3
f
5
3 3
f
5
3
mp
f
3
3
5
3
3 3
f
mp
3
f
3
3
5
sfp
19
3
3
8 4 mf
5
8 4 mf
5 5
3
3
mf
8 4
mf
8 4 5
mp
8 4 mf
8 4
5 20
3
5
8 4
mf 3
5
3
mf 3
6 4
3
3
6 4 6 4
5 3
3
mf
5
3
3
6 4
3
l.v.
8 4
21
6 4
mf
mf
8 4
3
5
3
mf
8 4
3
mf
5
8 4
6 4
mf
5
8 4
3
5
6 4
A tempo q=46
sul tasto
3
3
3
mp
6 4
3
3
sul tasto
mp 5
6 4 mp
6 4 6 4
A tempo q=46
sul tasto
poco
6 4 mf
3
mp
3
6 22
breve
via sord.
breve
via sord.
breve
via sord.
breve
via sord.
3
n
breve
5
6
5
6
breve
6
mp
senza sord. ord.
23
mf
* molto
senza sord. ord.
* molto
senza sord. ord.
* molto
senza sord.
* molto
3
5
mp
3
3
5
5 4 5 4 5 4 5 4
3
mp
3
mf *Cut off with accent
5 4
3
5 4
3
p
7 25
7
5 4 5 4 5 4
mp
10
6 4
poco a poco cresc.
6 4
3
mp poco a poco cresc.
6 4
mp
5 4
6 4 mp
3
5 4
6 4 mp
5 4
3
mf
(mf )
6 4
poco accel. 26
6 4
4 4
mp
6 4 6 4
4 4
mp
4 4
mp
6 4
4 4 mp sub.
poco accel.
6 4
4 4 7 3
6 4 mp
3
mp
4 4
8 27
4 4
q = 40
accel.
a tempo s. glis
mp
mp
pp
4 4
. gliss
mp
mp
pp
mp
mp
pp
mp
mp
pp
4 4 4 4 q = 40
. gliss
accel. a tempo
4 4 4 4
s. glis
n
mf
accel.
a tempo
29
mp mp
mp
mp
a tempo
accel.
f
mf
9 31
pizz.
f
p
q = 40 6
32
f
7 8
3 4
6 6
6
7 8
f
f
mp
6
arco
6
f
q = 40
6
7 8 6
6
3
3
mp
poco
poco 3
mp
3 4
poco
7 8 7 8
3 4
mp
6
7 8
6
3 4
6
3 4 mp
3 4
10 34
q = 40
accel.
3 4
6
mf
3 4
6 4
mf
mf
mf
6 4
6
3 4
6 4 mf
mf 6 6
3 4
6
6
6
6 4
mf
q = 40
accel.
3 4
6 4 pp
3 4
mp
6 4 f
36
6 4
6
3 4 poco
6 4
6
6
poco
6
poco
mp
6
6
6
6 4 mp
6
6
3 4
6
6
6 4
3 4
poco
6
6
3 4 6
6 4
3 4
6 4
3 4
11 37
Poco più mosso
3 4
4 4
mp
3 4
mf
mp
3 4
4 4 4 4
mp
3 4
4 4 mp
Poco più mosso
3 4 3 4
4 4 mf
mp
4 4
accel. 39
4 4 fp
4 4
pp sub.
4 4 pp sub.
4 4 pp sub.
accel.
4 4 4 4
mp
12 41
2 4 mp
3
2 4
mf
2 4
3 3
mp
5
2 4
5
f
mf
2 4 mf
f
2 4
sempre rubato al giusto 42
irregular
3
2 4 f
3
5
p rubato
2 4 mf
2 4 2 4 2 4 2 4
sempre rubato al giusto
(e)
3
13 45
al sord.
p
5
2 4
3 4
2 4
3 4
2 4
3 4
2 4
3 4
2 4
3 4
2 4
5
5
p
p
48
3 4
poco
3
2 4
3 4
3
mf
2 4
al sord.
3 4
3
2 4
al sord.
3
3
mf
3 4
mp
2 4
3 4 fp
2 4
3 4 mf
2 4
3 4
14 51
con sord. non vib.
3 4 con sord. non vib.
3 4 con sord. non vib.
3 4 3 4
al sord.
con sord. non vib.
pp
pp
3 4 12
3 4
54
accel.
molto rit.
pp
molto rit. accel.
pp
pp
15 ord.
non vib.
56
pp
ppp
non vib.
ord.
ppp
pp
non vib.
ord. ppp
pp
non vib.
ord.
ppp
pp
p
3 3
10
3 3
10
via sord.
58
via sord.
via sord.
via sord.
3
10
16
II. blaze of lights Allegro moderato 60
3 16
pizz.
3 8
f
3 pizz. 16
arco
3 8
3
f
3 16
5
arco
pizz.
arco
3 8
f
3 16
pizz.
arco
3 8
f
5
Allegro moderato
3 16
3 8
3 16
3 8
5
64
6 16
3 8
6 16
3 8
mf
mf
6 16
3 8 mf
6 16
5
3 8 mf
6 16 6 16
3 8 mf
3 8
17
68
pizz.
3 16
2 4
3 4
2 4
3 4
2 4
3 4
2 4
3 4
3 16
2 4
3 4
3 16
2 4
f pizz.
3 16 f
3 16 3
f
pizz. 3
pizz.
3 16
arco
f
arco 71
mf
2 4
6 16
2 4
6 16
mp
mf 3
arco
2 4
6 16
mf
3
3 4
2 4
6 16
mf
3 4 3 4
mp
arco 3
3 4
7
3
3 4 3 4
6
mp pizz.
mp
2 4 2 4
6 16 5
6 16
3 4
18 74
9 16
6 16
9 16
6 16 mf
pizz.
9 16
6 16
mp
mf
9 16
arco
6 16 f
9 16
6 16
mp leggero
mf
9 16
6 16
77
2 8 mp
mp
2 8 poco
2 8 p arco
2 8
( ) mf
mp
2 8 2 8
19 82
2 8
6 16
2 8
6 16
mf
poco
2 8 2 8
6 16
3 8
mf
6 16 3
3 8
mf
pizz.
3 8
mf
poco
85
3 8
2 8
6 16
3 8
2 8
6 16
3 8
3
3
3 8
2 8
6 16
2 8
6 16
2 8
6 16
2 8
6 16
3 8
2 8
6 16
3 8
2 8
6 16
mf
3 8
mf
mp
f 3
3 8 mp
3 8
mf
mp
3
mp
p arco
3
f
mf
mp
mf
mf
20 89
6 16 mp
poco
6 16 mp
6 16
pizz. mp
mf
poco
6 16
pizz. mf
6 16 mf
6 16
94
mf
mp
mf
mp arco
pizz.
21 99
mf
arco
mp
mp
mf
mp
arco
mp
mf
104
mf
mp
4
4 4
mf
mf
4
mf
4
4
22 109
2 4 p
2 4 p
2 4
mp
p
mp
2 4 2 4
mp
mf
9
2 4 9
113
2 4
6 16 p
2 4
6 16 p
2 4
6 16 p
2 4
6 16 mp
p
2 4
6 16 7
2 4
mp
6
p leggero
6 16
23 117
2 4 mp pizz.
arco mp
pizz.
arco
mp
mp
2 4 2 4 2 4 2 4
13
mp
121
mf
12 3 16 ( 4 )
2 4
mf
2 4
12 3 16 ( 4 )
2 4
12 ( 3 ) 16 4
2 4
12 ( 3 ) 16 4
2 4
12 3 16( 4)
mp
12 3 16 ( 4 )
6
6
mf
mf
2 4
2 4
6
24 6
123
6
6
5
5
6
6
5
5
mf
6
3
mf
6
125
6
6 5
5
5
5
5
3
( )
mf
25 6
127
6
6 5
5
mf
5
5
5
3
mf
3
rall. 129
p
mf
p
mf
p
mf
p
mf
rall.
mf
3
3 3
26 132
a tempo
mfp
6 16 6 16
mfp
6 16 mfp
6 16 mfp
a tempo
mf
6 16
n
6 16
135
f
f
f
f
f
mf
27 138
3 4 poco a poco dim.
3 4
poco a poco dim.
3 4 poco a poco dim.
3 4 poco a poco dim.
3 4 3 4
141
3
Senza tempo ca. 7"
4 4
3
3
3
3
9
4 4
3 4
4 4
3 4
4 4
3 4 Senza tempo ca. 7"
n 44
10
3 4
4 4
3
f (senza pedal, let sound decay)
3 4 3 4
28
144
Flowing, molto espressivo, poco rubato q=ca. 78
3 4
con sord.
3 4
con sord.
pp
4 4 4 4
pp con sord.
3 4
pp
con sord.
3 4
4 4 4 4
pp
Flowing, molto espressivo, poco rubato q=ca. 78
3 4
4 4
mp
3 4
3
3
4 4
*Based on the Hebrew Cantorial "Hayom Haras Olom" on the occasion of Rosh Hashana
150
3
3
3 4
4 4
3
3 4
4 4
3
3 4
3
3 4
3
3
3 4
3
3
3 4
3
3
3
4 4 4 4
3
3 4
3
3 4
3
3
3 4 3 4
3
4 4 4 4
3
3
3 4 3 4
29
154
Senza tempo ca. 5-7"
3 4
4 4
2 4
3 4
3
3 4
3
4 4
2 4
3 4
3 4
3
4 4
2 4
3 4
3 4
3
4 4
2 4
3 4 Senza tempo ca. 5-7"
3 4
4 4
3 4
4 4
3
p
2 4
3 4
2 4
3 4
(senza pedal, let sound decay)
30
III. Viridian. Ochre. Cobalt blue. 158
q = 60 Jazz feel with rubato
3 4 3 4 3 4 3
3 4 f
q = 60 Jazz feel with rubato
3 4 3 4
G. P.
160
f
5
3 G. P.
*begin f, after 2 beats, begin fluctuating dynamics between f and mp
31 164
3
3
5 5
3
3
166
G. P.
G. P.
f
171
3
3 3
3
3 5
3
5
32
G. P.
173
G. P.
5
177
f
3
179
3
5
3
5 4
4 4 f
3
3
3
3
5
3
5
5 4
4 4
5 4
4 4
5 4
4 4
5
33
182
4 4 sfz
f
4 4 sfz
f
4 4 sfz
4 4 sfz
f
f
sfz
4 4 4 4
sfz
sfz
188
sfz
sfz
sfz
sfz
mf
34 192
3 4
sfz
3 4 sfz
3 4 sfz
3 4 sfz
3 4 mf
9 10
3 4
3
mf 195
sfz
6
sfz
sfz
sfz
sfz
sfz
sfz
sfz 6
6
6 6
f
6
35 196
2 4 mf
4 4
sfz
2 4 mf
4 4 sfz
2 4 mf
4 4 sfz
2 4 mf
4 4 sfz
2 4 2 4
4 4 mf
4 4
mf
201 q=56
5
4 4
mp cresc. 5
4 4
mp cresc.
5
5
5
5
4 4 mp cresc.
4 4 5
mp cresc.
q=56
4 4 5
4 4
mf
5
5
36 202
3 4 mf
3 4 mf
3 4 mf
3 4 mf
5
3 4 6
6
7
mf
mp
3 4 5
205
4 4
Poco rubato
mp
4 4
3
3
sfz mp
4 4
3
mp
3
4 4 mp
4 4 sfz
p
cresc.
4 4
Poco rubato
37 3
209
A tempo q=56
3
poco cresc.
poco cresc.
poco cresc.
poco cresc.
A tempo q=56
mf 211
cut off with accent
3 4 mp
4 4
6
3 4
6
mp
cut off with accent
cut off with accent
3 4
4 4 4 4
6
cut off with accent
3 4
4 4
6
3 4
4 4 3
3 4
3
mp
mf
4 4
38 con sord. 213
7
4 4 mp
7
5 4
cresc. con sord.
4 4
mp
5 4 7
7
cresc.
con sord.
4 4
mp
7
7
cresc.
con sord.
4 4
mp
5 4 7
7
cresc.
4 4
5 4
4 4
5 4
q=64 214
5 4
senza sord.
5 4
ff
5 4 5 4 5 4
senza sord.
senza sord.
senza sord.
Recit. poco accel.
pizz.
4 4 sfz
pizz.
4 4
ff
sfz
ff
sfz
4 4
pizz.
5
4 4 mp
q=64
Recit. poco accel.
5 4
4 4
5 4
4 4 mp
3
39 A tempo, poco rubato ad lib. 216 q = 56
arco
3
3
mp
mp
arco
3
mp
mp
3
sfz p
arco
3
3
mp
mp
mf
mf
218 Poco meno mosso
2 4
mp 3
poco cresc.
3
7
3 4
3
mf
2 4
3
3 4
poco cresc.
mp
mf
2 4
3
poco cresc. mp
3
2 4 mp
222
5
3 4
mf
7
7
3 4 7
poco cresc. mf
Recitativo ad lib.
4 4 4 4 4 4 5
mf
4 4 3
40 223
4 4
A tempo, molto ritmico
f
4 4 f
4 4 f
4 4 4 4
A tempo, molto ritmico
f
f
4 4
224
3
5
5
5 5
sfz
3
sfz
3
sfz 3
sfz
3
sfz
41 226
mf
mf
mf
mf
mf sfz
228
f
42 229
3 4
4 4
3 4
4 4
3 4
4 4
3 4
4 4
3 4
4 4
3 4
4 4
f
f
f
f
231
4 4
2 4
4 4
2 4
4 4
2 4
4 4
2 4
4 4
2 4
4 4
mf
2 4
43
pizz.
233
3 4
4 4
2 4
4 4
2 4
4 4
2 4
3 4
4 4
2 4
3 4
4 4
2 4
3 4
4 4
2 4
3 4 3 4
pizz.
pizz.
pizz.
236
2 4
4 4
6 8
4 4
6 8
4 4
6 8
4 4
6 8
2 4
4 4
6 8
2 4
4 4
6 8
sfz
2 4 sfz
2 4 sfz
2 4
sfz
44 239 q=60
6 8
arco sul tasto
arco sul tasto
6 8
senza vib. con sord.
pp senza vib. con sord.
ppp
pp arco sul tasto
6 8
arco sul tasto
6 8
ppp
senza vib. con sord. pp senza vib. con sord.
ppp
pp
ppp
q=60
6 8 6 8
mf
senza tempo 244
3 8
pppp
ca. 10" without motion
3 8
pppp
3 8
pppp
3 8
pppp
3 8 pp
senza tempo
3 8 New York, Jan. 2014