Muhly IMPOSSIBLE THINGS

Nico Muhly

IMPOSSIBLE THINGS for tenor, violin and string orchestra

Full score

St Rose Music Publishing Co. / Chester Music Ltd.

Commissioned by Britten Sinfonia, Muziekcentrum Frits Philips and Tapiola Sinfonietta. World premiere given at Muziekcentrum Frits Philips, Eindhoven, on 27 January 2010 by Britten Sinfonia, Pekka Kuusisto (violin) and Mark Padmore (tenor). Britten Sinfonia is grateful to Arts Council England for making this commission possible.

Instrumentation: minimum strings count 7.6.5.3.2.

Duration: c. 24 minutes Full score in C. Orchestral parts are available on hire from the publisher.

PART I THE HEREAFTER (1892)

JANUARY OF 1904 (1904) Ah this January, this January’s nights,

I believe in the Hereafter. Material appetites or love for the real don’t beguile me. It’s not habit but instinct. The heavenly word will be added

when I sit and refashion in my thoughts those moments and I come upon you, and I hear our final words, and hear the first.

to life’s imperfect sentence, otherwise inane.

Respite and reward will follow upon action.

When sight is forevermore closed to Creation,

This January’s despairing nights, when the vision goes and leaves me all alone.

How swiftly it departs and melts away— the trees go, the streets go, the houses go, the lights go: it fades and disappears, your erotic shape.

the eye will be opened in the presence of the Creator. An immortal wave of life will flow from each and every Gospel of Christ—wave of life uninterrupted.

NEAR AN OPEN WINDOW In the stillness of an autumn night, I sit near an open window, for entire hours, in a perfect, voluptuous tranquillity.

The gentle rainfall of the leaves descends.

The keening of the perishable world resounds within my perishable nature, but is a dulcet keening, rising like a prayer.

My window opens up an unknown world. A fount of fragrant memories, unutterable, appears before me.

Against my window wings are beating—chill autumnal exhalations approach me and encircle me and in their holy tongue they speak to me.

I feel vague and wide-embracing hopes; and in the hallowed silence of creation, my ears hear melodies, hear the crystalline, the mystic music of the chorus of the stars.

PART II SEPTEMBER OF 1903 (1904) At least let me be deceived by delusions, now, so that I might not feel my empty life.

And I was so close so many times.

And how I froze, and how I was afraid; why should I remain with lips shut tight; while within me weeps my empty life, and my longings wear their mourning black.

To be, so many times, so close to the eyes, and to the sensual lips, to the dreamed of, beloved body.

To be, so many times, so close.

PART III 27 JUNE 1906, 2 P. M. (1908) When the Christians brought him to be hanged, the innocent boy of seventeen, his mother, who there beside the scaffold had dragged herself and lay beaten on the ground beneath the midday sun, the savage sun, now would moan, and howl like a wolf, a beast, and then the martyr, overcome, would keen “Seventeen years only you lived with me, my child.”

And when they took him up the scaffold’s steps and passed the rope around him and strangled him, the innocent boy, seventeen years old, and piteously it hung inside the void, with the spasms of black agony— the youthful body, beautifully wrought— his mother, martyr, wallowed on the ground and now she keened no more about his years: “Seventeen days only,” she keened, “seventeen days only I had joy of you, my child.”

IMPOSSIBLE THINGS (1897) There is one joy alone, but one that’s blessed, one consolation only in this pain.

How many thronging tawdry days were missed because of this ending; how much ennui.

A poet has said: “The loveliest music is the one that cannot be played.”

And I, I daresay that by far the best life is the one that cannot be lived.

—C.P. CAVAFY translated by Daniel Mendelsohn

for Pekka Kuusisto, Mark Padmore & the Britten Sinfonia

IMPOSSIBLE THINGS Part I The Hereafter, Near an Open Window C.P. Cavafy

Nico Muhly (2009)

translated by Daniel Mendelsohn

q = 86

Tenor Solo

Solo Violin

4 4

3 4

4 4

4 4

3 4

4 4 mp

q = 86 Violin I

4 4

div. a3

3 4

p

Violin II

4 4

f

div. a3

3 4

p

Viola

4 4

3 4 p

f

p

f

mf

p

f

p

f

mf

p

f

p

f

mf

p

f

p

f

4 4 f

4 4

p

4 4 f

div. a3

Violoncello

4 4

3 4 p

Contrabass

4 4 f

4 4

3 4

4 4

11 Solo Vn.

mf

mp

Vn. I

p

p

mf

p

ppp

p

p

p

mf

p

ppp

p

p

p

mf

p

ppp

Vn. II

Va.

mf

mf

p

unis. pizz.

Vc.

p Copyright © 2009 by St. Rose Music Publishing Co. and Chester Music Limited.

rev. Sep 2016

2 mp

22

20

4 4

T.

(div. a3)

I

3 4 be lieve in the Here af

4 4 f

4 4

ter.

22

Vn. I

mf

Ma te rial ap pe tites

3 4

or love for the real

4 4

p

f

p

(div. a3)

4 4

Vn. II

f

3 4

4 4

p

(div. a3)

4 4

Va.

f

f

3 4

p

4 4

f

p

p

div. a3, arco

4 4

Vc.

3 4

4 4

p

f

27

p

conversational

T.

don’t be guile

me.

pizz.

Solo Vn.

It’s

5

5

p

not

hab it

but in stinct

The

heav’n

ly

word

will be

arco

5

f

mf

mp

Vn. I

f

p

f

mf

p

p

f

mf

p

p

f

mf

p

p

f

Vn. II

f Va.

f

Vc.

f

p

34 T.

add ed

to

life’s

im per fect sen tence,

oth er wise

in

ane.

Solo Vn.

mp

mp

Vn. I

p

mf

p

ppp

p

p

mf

p

ppp

p

p

mf

p

ppp

Vn. II

Va.

mf tutti pizz.

1 solo saltando Vc.

sf

6

p

mf

3 41

40 T.

Res

pite

and re

ward

will fol low

up on

act

4 4

3 8

4 4

3 8

4 4

3 8

4 4

3 8

4 4

3 8

4 4

ion.

on the string Solo Vn.

f

3 8

mp - steady

41

(div. a3) Vn. I

f

p

(div. a3) Vn. II

f

p

(div. a3) Va.

p

f

p

1 solo arco, saltando

Vc.

6

sf

45

T.

4 4

mp

mf

When sight

Solo Vn.

is

for

er

more

closed

to

Cre

a

4 4 mf

mp stay behind voice

45

Vn. I

ev

1 solo pizz. 5

4 4

mf Vc.

unis.

4 4

p

50 Solo Vn.

ppp pass off to 2nd violins

50 1, 2 arco, on the string

pp 3, 4 on the string Vn. I

pp 5–7

pp

f

pp

f

pp

f

div.

Vn. II

n

p

1, 2 Va.

pp

f

pp

f

pp

f

tion,

4 54

7

Solo Vn.

f sff

54

f Vn. I div.

f

pp

f

pp

f

pp

f

Vn. II div.

f 1, 2

pp

Va.

f

3

sff

7 7

sff

Vc. div.

f

7

sff

f

7

f

7

n

3 7

7

3

Cb.

sff

56 Solo Vn.

f

7

7

f

sempre mf, athletic, energetic

f

Vn. I

Vn. II

mf

f

Va.

f

n

7

Vc.

7

3

Cb.

7

5

5 58

mf

Vn. I div.

mf

f

f

Vn. II div.

mp

f

Va.

f

7

3 3

7

Vc. div.

Cb.

7

5

5

7

f

60

61

T.

the

eye

will

be

o

pened

Solo Vn.

f

61 f

Vn. I

f

f

f

Vn. II

f

Va.

f

f on the string

f 1, 2 on the string

Vc.

f 3 on the string

f 5 Cb.

f

5

6 62

mp

T.

in

the

pres

ence

of

the

Cre

a

tor.

An

im

mor

tal

Solo Vn.

n

(p)

Vn. I div.

n

(p)

sff Vn. II div.

p

p

n

sff

Va.

p

mp

mp

Vc.

mp 5

5

Cb.

f

65

Relax slightly q = 84

4+3

2+3

7 8

T.

wave

of

7 8

Solo Vn.

3 8

5 8

life

will

3 8

3 4 flow

5 8

from

p

each

3 8 and

eve

ry

3 4 Gos pel

of

3 4

3 8

3 4

3 4

3 8

3 4

mp

Relax slightly q = 84 senza vib.

4+3

7 8

2+3

3 8

5 8 mf

Va. div.

senza vib.

7 8

3 8

p sub.

5 8 mf

senza vib.

7 8

3 8

senza vib.

7 8

5 8

3 8

7 8 p

3 8

3 4

3 8

ord. vib.

5 8

ord. vib.

3 4

3 8

3 4 f

3 4

3 8

p sub.

5 8

3 4 f

p sub.

mf

Cb.

ord. vib.

f

p sub.

mf Vc. div.

ord. vib.

3 4 f

3 4

3 8

3 4

7 71

T.

3 4

Christ– Solo Vn.

3 4

p

mf

div.

71 sul tasto

Vn. I

Vn. II

3 4 3 4

div. mp sul tasto

mp

mp

mp

3 4 Va. div.

3 4 3 4

Vc. div.

p

mp

p

mp

p

3 4

p

77

mp

4 4

T.

wave

of

un

in

ter

rupt

ed.

3 4

p

77

mf

4 4

mp

4 4

mp

Vc. div.

life

4 4

Solo Vn.

Va. div.

3 4

4 4

mp

4 4

mp

p

3 4 f

mp

f

mp

f

mp

f

mp

3 4 3 4 3 4

81 Solo Vn.

mf

pp

81 1 sola Va.

sempre p 1 solo Vc.

sempre p

87 div. a3 ord.

Vn. I

ppp

p

unis. (sul tasto)

Vn. II

p Va.

Vc.

8 (div. a3)

93

4 4

Vn. I

pp

p

pp

4 4

Vn. II

4 4

Va.

4 4

Vc.

100

Slightly Slower q = 78 freely

4 4

Solo Vn.

7

3

sempre mp

Slightly Slower q = 78

100 poco sul pont.

4 4

ord.

3

pp

Vn. I div. a2

4 4

poco sul pont.

3

3

3

pizz.

3

3

long bow, almost no pressure molto sul tasto

4 4

Vn. II div.

3

p

pp unis.

p

4 4

1 sola

Va.

3

poco sul pont.

4 4

le altre

4 4 Vc. 2 soli

4 4

pp

p long bow, almost no pressure molto sul tasto

p

long bow, almost no pressure molto sul tasto

4 4

Cb.

ord., long bow, almost no pressure molto sul tasto

pp

p

104 Solo Vn.

6

6

Vn. I

3

p Vn. II

Va.

Vc.

Cb.

3

3

sf

pp

3

3

p

3

9 107

3 4

Solo Vn.

3 4

3

mf

Vn. I div.

mf

pp

3 4

arco

pp

p

sfp div.

Vn. II

3 4 3 4

1 sola

Va.

3 4

le altre

3 4 Vc. 2 soli

3 4 3 4

Cb.

111 Solo Vn.

Vn. I

3 4

4 4

3 4

4 4 pp

3 4

4 4 pp

Vn. II

3 4

4 4

3 4

4 4

3 4

4 4

3 4

4 4

3 4

4 4

3 4

4 4

Va.

Vc.

Cb.

10 116

115 T.

In

the

still

ness

of

an

au

tumn

night,

I

sit

7

0 Solo Vn.

sempre mp

116 poco sul pont.

3

3

pp

Vn. I div.

poco sul pont.

3

3

3

3

pp (div.)

Vn. II

fp

1 sola

poco sul pont.

Va. le altre

n

mp

fp

Vc. 2 soli

Cb.

fp

119 T.

pen

win

dow,

for

en

tire

hours,

Solo Vn.

ord.

pp

Vn. I

pizz.

3

p Vn. II

(1 sola) Va.

Vc.

Cb.

6

3

3

3

p

3

3

sf

3

near an

o

11 122 T.

in

a

per

fect,

vo lup

tu

ous

tran

Solo Vn.

6

3

mf Vn. I div.

3

mf

pp

arco

3

p

pp

p

unis.

Vn. II

1 sola

Va. le altre

Vc. 2 soli

Cb.

126

3 4

T.

4 4

ty.

Solo Vn.

Vn. I

The

Va.

Vc.

Cb.

rain

4 4

3 4

4 4 pp

4 4 pp

sfp

Vn. II

tle

3 4

3 4 div.

gen

3 4

4 4

3 4

4 4

3 4

4 4

3 4

4 4

3 4

4 4

3 4

4 4

fall

quil

i

12 132

130

3 4

T.

of

the

leaves

de

scends.

3 4

Solo Vn.

132

3 4

Vn. I

unis.

pp

3 ord.

4

(div.)

Vn. II

3 4

1 sola

pp

3 4

Va. le altre

3 4

(1 solo) Vc.

tutti, ord.

pp

3 4

Cb.

pp

135

3

3

Solo Vn.

mf

3

pp

3

mp

3

p

3

Vn. I

poco p Vn. II

tutte, ord.

poco p

Va.

poco p Vc.

poco p Cb.

poco p

143 Solo Vn.

143

3

3

mf

div. a3

pp

Vn. I

div. a3

p

mp

p

mp

p

mp

p

mp

Vn. II

Va. div.

p

Vc. div.

p

Cb. div.

p

p

p

mp

13 149

Va. div.

p

mp

p

mp

mf

Vc.

mf

mf Cb. div.

mf

156

mp

T.

5

4 4

The

keen

ing

of

the

per ish

3 4 a

ble

world

re

sounds

with

in

my

4 4

Solo Vn.

3 4 p

156

Va.

3

3

p

4 4

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

3 4

4 4

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

3 4

4 4

3

3

3

3

3

3

3 4

cresc. poco a poco 3

3

p

cresc. poco a poco 3

3

3

sub. p cresc. poco a poco Vc. div. a3

3

3

3

4 4

3 4

4 4

3 4

4 4

3 4

4 4

3 4

sub. p cresc. poco a poco

sub. p cresc. poco a poco

sub. p cresc. poco a poco Cb.

sub. p cresc. poco a poco

14 160 T.

3 4 3 4

Solo Vn.

4 4

5

per

ish

a

ble na

ture,

but

(cresc.)

keen ing,

4 4

3

4 4

pp

5

5

4 4

5

5

5

4 4

5

5

5

5

5

5

5

(cresc.)

3 4 3 4

cet

3

3 4

Vc. div. a3

dul

unis.

3 4 Va. div.

a

mp

3 4

Vn. I

is

4 4

(cresc.)

4 4

(cresc.)

3 4

4 4 (cresc.)

3 4 Cb. div.

4 4

(cresc.)

3 4

4 4 (cresc.)

165 T.

4 4 ri

Solo Vn.

167

3

sing

like a

prayer.

4 4

3 4 p

mf

Vn. I

f

167

3 4

mp

mf

3 4

4 4

3 4

p sempre

4 4

3 4

p sempre

4 4

3

5

mf

Va.

4 4 4 4 Vc.

n

4 4 4 4

Vn. II div. a3

3 4

4 4 4 4

5

5

p sub.

mf

p sub.

mf

p sub.

mf

p sub.

4 4 mf

Cb.

4 4 mf

p sub.

p sub.

3

3

3

3

3

p sub.

mf

3 4

p sempre

3

3

3

3

3 4 3 4 3

3 4 3 4 3 4 3 4

3

15

172

169 T.

My

win

dow

o pens up

an un known

Solo Vn.

1 solo

172

Vn. I

gli altri

Vn. II

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

f

Va.

3

3

3

3

mp 3

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

f

3

p

mp

3

f

3

5

3

p

mp

p

Vc.

f

p

f

p

f

p

f

p

Cb.

mp

5

mp

5

5

5

sim.

5

mp

5

sim.

sim.

5

5

16

176 T.

world.

A fount

of

fra grant mem’ ries,

un

3 ter

ut

Solo Vn.

a

ble,

3

p

mf

ap

3

sim.

saltando

sempre poco sf Vn. I tutti div. a3

ppp

ppp

mf

Vn. II div. a3

mf

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

sub. p

sub. p

mf

5

Va. div.

5

5

Vc. div. a3

5

mf

p

mf

p

mf

p

5

5

f

mp

f

mp

f Cb. div.

f

3

3

3

3

pears

17

186

182 T.

be

fore

me.

A

gainst

my win dow

186

mp

Vn. I

mp

mp

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

5

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

5

Vn. II

Va.

Vc.

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

5

18 187

2 4

T.

wings

are beat

ing–

chill

au tumn

al

ex ha

la

4 4

tions

ap

saltando, while trilling

2 4

Solo Vn.

sfp

mp

6

sfp

4 4 f

2 4 Vn. I div. a3

n

n

n

n

n 5

5

f

Vn. II div.

5

f

non div., saltando

T.

4 4

3 4 p

Vn. I

unis.

3 4

p

Vn. II

non div.

4 4

3 4

solo from the back desk Vc.

2 4

4 4

2 4

4 4

2 4

4 4

2 4

4 4

2 4

4 4

2 4

4 4

n

n

5

and en cir cle

4 4 4 4

4 4

3 4 proach me

Solo Vn.

2 4

n

f

193

4 4

n

f

f

f

sempre poco sf

f

5

4 4

f

n

non div. saltando

f

Vc. div. a3

2 4

f

sempre poco sf

5

Va. div.

2 4

4 4

5

4 4 sfp

3 4

me

and

in

their

ho ly

tongue

they speak

to

me.

19 202

201 T.

bird chirp behind the bridge Solo Vn.

sempre mfz saltando non div.

202

Vn. I

sempre poco sf

div.

non div.

Vn. II

molto sul pont.

1 sola

ppp

Va.

mp

ppp

mp

le altre

p

208 Solo Vn.

208 Vn. I

Vn. II

poco sul pont.

Cb. div.

p

poco sul pont

p

f

f

p

215

218

sf

f

p

mp

T.

I

feel

vague

and wide em brac

ing

hopes;

Solo Vn.

218

215 Vn. I

non div.

div.

div.

non div.

Vn. II

p

Va.

p

poco sul pont.

Vc. div.

p

div.

f

p

ord.

f

div.

p

Cb.

mf

mf

f

f

f

p

p

f

f

p

p

f

20 224 T.

and

in

the

hal

lowed

si

lence

of

cre

a

tion,

my

ears hear mel

o

dies,

hear

the

of

the

Vn. I

Vn. II

229

3

T.

crys tal

line,

the

mys

tic

mu

3 of

sic

the cho

rus

+ whistling Solo Vn.

pp - out of time, freely Vn. I

div.

Vn. II

233 T.

stars.

Solo Vn.

quasi gliss.

mp

Vn. II

con sord., div. a4, wide, old-fashioned vibrato Va.

p

mp

Vc. div. a4

p

f

p

f

p

Cb. div.

mf

p

mf +whis.

+whis.

241 Solo Vn.

pp sf

sf p Va.

pp

Vc.

Cb.

p

p

f

p

f

mf

p

mf

21

Part II September of 1903, January of 1904

249 Fast q = 132

mf

4 4

Tenor Solo

At least

me

be

de

ceived

by

de

lu

sions,

now,

sul G

4 4

Solo Violin

let

mf

Fast q = 132

poco sul pont.

4 4 sf - choked, ugly Violin I div.

4 4

sempre sf

poco sul pont.

sf - choked, ugly

4 4

Violin II

sempre sf

non div. poco sul pont.

sf - choked, ugly

4 4

Viola

sempre sf

div. a3 poco sul pont.

senza sord.

pp

mf

div. poco sul pont.

4 4

Violoncello

n

sf - choked, ugly unis. poco sul pont.

4 4

Contrabass

sempre sf

sf - choked, ugly

sempre sf

256 T.

so

3 that I might not

feel

my

emp

ty

life.

3

Solo Vn.

sf

Vn. I

sf

Vn. II

sf

Va.

pp

Vc.

Cb.

mf

n

pp

mf

22 263 T.

And I

was

so

close

so

man

y

times.

And

how

Solo Vn.

263

ord.

Vn. I div.

ord.

ord.

Vn. II

ord. div. a2

(div. a3)

slight inflection downwards

Va.

f

mfz

p

Vc. div.

Cb.

272

270

3 2

T.

I

froze,

and

how

I

4 4 was

a

saltando

Solo Vn.

3 2

5

sf

6

4 4

mf molto sul pont.

pizz.

arco

sf

272

3 2

4 4

mf pesante

sff

Vn. I

arco

pizz.

sf

molto sul pont.

3 2

mf pesante

sff molto sul pont.

3 2

Vn. II

mf pesante unis., bird chirps behind bridge

3

3

p

mf

4 4

sff

div. a3 poco sul pont.

3 2

Va.

p

4 4

n

4 4 p

3 2

f ord.

4 4

mf

Vc.

3 2

ord.

4 4

mf

Cb.

3 2

ord.

mf

4 4

23 275 T.

277 f

4 4

3 2

fraid;

Why

4 4

Solo Vn.

3 4

4 4

should

3 2

I

re

3 4

4 4

f

277

ord.

4 4

6

3 2

mf

3 4

arco

sff

4 4 ff

f

f

Vn. I

ord.

4 4

mf ord.

4 4

Vn. II

3 2

sff

f

div.

arco

sff

mf

4 4

Va.

arco

3 2

3 2 n

3 4

4 4 ff

3 4

4 4

f

unis.

ff

f

3 4

arco

sff

f

4 4

f

ff

div., arco

4 4

3 2 mf

mf

3 4 sff

4 4

sfp

ff

sfp

Vc.

4 4 mf

mf

sff

4 4

Cb.

arco

3 2

3 4 sfp

ff

3 2

4 4

sfp

ff

mf

281

2 4

T.

main

with

lips

sfp

3 4

mf

mf

4 4

shut

tight;

sfp

4 4 while

2 4

Solo Vn.

with

4 4 sfp

mf molto sul pont.

(div.)

Vn. I

sff

Vn. II

sff

Va.

sfp

sfp

sff

2 4

4 4 sff

2 4

4 4

sff

sff

2 4

4 4

2 4

4 4

2 4

4 4

sim.

sim.

Cb.

sfp

4 4

sff

molto sul pont.

sff

2 4

sff

molto sul pont.

Vc.

sim.

in

me

24 288 T.

weeps

my

emp

ty

life,

Solo Vn.

mf

sf ord.

(div.)

p

mf

sul pont.

ord.

sul pont.

ord.

Vn. I

ord.

(div.)

Vn. II

(div.)

Vc. div.

Cb.

294

f

mf

T.

and

my

long

ings

wear

their

mourn

ing

black.

Solo Vn.

f

Vn. I

p

ff

p

ff

Vn. II

Vc.

p sub.

ff

p sub.

ff

p sub.

ff

Cb.

300

sempre mf

T.

To

be,

so man y

times,

Solo Vn.

300

sempre mf

div. a3 sul tasto, dolciss.

Vn. I

mf

mf

mp

mp

mp

mf

mp

mp

mp

mf

mp

mp

mp

mf

mp

mp

mp

sul tasto, dolciss.

mf sul tasto, dolciss.

Vn. II div. a3

mf sul tasto, dolciss.

mf

25 306 T.

so

close

to

the

eyes,

and

Solo Vn.

Vn. I

mp

mp

pp

mf

pp

mp

mp

pp

mf

pp

mp

mp

pp

mf

pp

mp

mp

pp

mf

pp

Vn. II

313

312

piĂš dolce

T.

to

the

sen

sual

lips,

to

the

dreamed

of,

Solo Vn.

piĂš dolce

313 Vn. I

p

mp

mp

mp

p

mp

mp

mp

p

mp

mp

mp

p

mp

mp

mp

Vn. II

318 T.

be

lov

ed

bod

y.

Solo Vn.

Vn. I

mp

mp

mp

mp

pp

mp

mp

mp

mp

pp

mp

mp

mp

mp

pp

mp

mp

mp

mp

pp

Vn. II

26

324 T.

To

be,

so

man

y

times,

Solo Vn.

(div. a3) Vn. I

Vn. II div. a3

mf

pp

p

mf

pp

p

mf

pp

p

mf

pp

p

senza rit.

328 T.

so

close.

Solo Vn.

senza rit.

Vn. I

pp

1 solo - slowly move between open strings, always playing two notes

pp pp very loosely, lazily Vn. II

pp

pp

div., ord.

Va.

mf

pp

mf

Vc.

p

mp

332 Suddenly Slower q = 54, colla voce sempre mp (ossia: 8vb) T.

Ah

this

Jan

u ar

y,

this Jan

u ar

y’s

nights,

332 Suddenly Slower q = 54, colla voce slowly move between open strings, always playing two notes 1 solo

Vn. I

pp very loosely, lazily

gli altri

sempre p

1 solo

Vn. II gli altri

sempre p Va.

p

mp

p

27 338 T.

when I

sit

and re

fash

ion

in my

thoughts

those

mo

ments

and I come

1 solo

Vn. I

gli altri

1 solo

Vn. II

gli altri

Va.

p saltando, gliss.

Vc. div.

pp

6

6

continue playing gestures, do not synchronize with other players

pp

6

continue playing gestures, do not synchronize with other players

344 T.

on

you,

and

I

hear

our

fi

nal

words,

and hear

344

Vn. I

Vn. II

Va.

pp

Vc.

mp

p

the first.

up

28 353

350 T.

loco Solo Vn.

3

mp - molto espress.

3

3

7

3

353

1 solo

Vn. I

gli altri

1 solo

Vn. II

gli altri

Va.

mp

p

mp

p 1, 2 pizz.

pp space gestures more distantly

Vc. div.

p

pp space gestures more distantly

pp

6

6

unis. pizz.

Cb.

p

355

3

loco

3

Solo Vn.

mp

3

mf

Vn. I

Vn. II

Va.

mp

Vc.

Cb.

p

5

29 362 T.

This Jan

b

u

ar

y’s

des pair

ing

nights,

when the vi sion

Solo Vn.

pp

(p)

362 1 solo

Vn. I gli altri

1 solo

Vn. II gli altri

Va.

p

pp

mp

Vc. div.

Cb.

368

370

5

T.

and leaves me all a lone.

How swift

ly

it

de parts

and melts

a

370

Vn. I

Vn. II

Va.

p

Vc.

Cb.

mp

p

mp

way–

goes

30 374 T.

the trees

go,

the streets

go,

the hous es

go,

the lights go:

it

1 solo

Vn. I gli altri

1 solo

(tutti)

Vn. II gli altri

dolciss.

Va.

pp

mf

pp

Vc. div.

Cb.

380

3

T.

fades

and dis ap pears,

your

e

rot

ic

shape.

pizz. arco

pizz.

arco

Solo Vn.

380

5

mp

6

Vn. I

6

mp

Vn. II div.

6

p

6

3

mp

6

p

mp

p

Va.

mp

unis.

Vc.

Cb.

384 Solo Vn.

3

p (tutti) Vn. I

6

mp

Vn. II

3

p

6

3

p

3

mp

ppp

3

p

ppp Va.

pp

mp

pp

31

Part III 27 June, 1906, 2 pm; Impossible Things q = 92-96, moving 390 1., pizz.

3 4

Contrabass

4 4

3 4

p

half section arco sul tasto

397

4 4

Vc.

3 4

p

mp

1.

Cb. div.

2. pizz.

4 4

3 4

4 4

3 4

p

404

4 4

Va.

3 4

unis.

pp

pp Vc. div.

arco sul tasto

5

4 4

3 4

4 4

3 4

4 4

3 4

4 4

3 4

5

p

Cb.

411 Vn. I

4 4

3 4

sul pont.

pp Va.

4 4

3 4

4 4

3 4

4 4

3 4

4 4

3 4

4 4

3 4

p div., ord.

Vc.

Cb.

p

p

5

32

418

p

4 4

T.

When the Christ ians

brought him

div. ord.

418

3 4

Vn. I

pp unis.

Vn. II

pp Va.

Vc.

Cb. div.

3 to be hanged,

4 4

3 4

4 4

3 4

4 4

3 4

4 4

3 4

4 4

3 4

4 4

3 4

425

424

4 4

T.

his moth er,

the in no cent

who there

be side the

3 scaf

fold

had

425 Vn. I

3 dragged her

boy

of sev en

teen,

3 4 self

and lay beat en

4 4

3 4

4 4

3 4

4 4

3 4

on

p Vn. II

p

arco

pp

Cb.

sfp

4 4

pp

sf

432

430

be neath the

mid day

Solo Vn.

mf

pp

432 Vn. I

p

4 4

T.

pp

3 4

pp

sun,

3 4 the sav age sun,

now

would moan,

4 4

3 4

4 4

3 4

4 4

3 4

4 4

3 4

4 4

3 4

4 4

3 4

4 4

3 4

mf

p

Vn. II

p Va.

p div.

Vc.

p pizz.

Cb.

p

3

the ground

33 437

2 4

3 4

2 4

3 4

2 4

3 4

arco

2 4

3 4

pizz.

2 4

3 4

3

T.

and howl like a wolf,

a beast,

and then the mar

tyr,

o ver come,

would keen

div.

Va.

sfp (div.)

Vc.

sfp

Cb.

arco

444

3 4

T.

“Sev

en

teen

years

Sev

en

teen

3 4

Solo Vn.

6

6

6

6

6

6

6

6

6

6

6

6

444 div.

3 4

Vn. I

sub. p

3 4

Vn. II

div.

sub. p

3 4

Va.

3 4

Vc.

unis.

sub. p

p

446 T.

years

on

ly

you

lived

with

me,

my

Solo Vn.

6

Vn. I

Vn. II

Va.

Vc.

6

6

6

6

6

6

6

6

6

6

6

34

Moving Slightly q = 60 448

450

T.

4 4

3 4

4 4

3 4

457

4 4

child.�

Solo Vn.

pp

f

4 4 p

Moving Slightly q = 60 448

450

Vn. I

Vn. II

Va.

457

4 4

3 4

4 4

4 4

3 4

4 4

4 4

3 4

4 4 mf intense

4 4

Vc.

2. pizz.

3 4

4 4

Cb.

4 4 tutti arco

3 4

mp

459 Vn. II

4 4

f

464 unis.

3 4

4 4

mp

4 4

3 4

4 4

3 4

mp

4 4

Va.

3 4

1 sola

mp rich

mfz

4 4

Cb.

mf

3 4

mp

4 4 sf

p

mp

471

468

3 4

Vn. II

4 4

3 4

4 4

3 4

pp

Va.

p

Vc.

mp

f

mp

4 4

3 4

4 4

3 4

mf

Cb.

p

3

mf

mf

35 474 T.

3 4 And

3 when

they took

him

up

the

scaf fold’s

steps

and

passed

the rope

a

(1 sola)

3 4

Va.

3

f

3

mp

3 4

Vc.

f

p

sfp

f

p

sfp

3 4

Cb.

478

4 4

T.

round him

and

3 4

stran gled him,

the

478

flautando

4 4

1 sola

mf

Va.

p

le altre

in no cent

boy,

sev

en

teen

years

3 4 5

5

4 4

3 4

4 4

3 4

4 4

3 4

5

3

p div.

Vc.

p 1. arco 2. pizz.

Cb.

p

485

483

4 4

T.

3 and pit eous ly

old,

it

hung

in

485

4 4

div.

Vn. I

p

mp

4 4

div. a3 Vn. II

mp

1, 2, ord.

Va.

5

3

3

3

4 4

mp tutti div.

3.

mp

5

5

4 4 5

4 4

Vc.

4 4

Cb.

mp

36 487 T.

3

4 4 side

Vn. I

Vn. II

the

void,

3 4

with the

spa

4 4

(div.)

3 4

4 4

(div. a3)

3 4

3 of black ag

sms

o

ny

mf

Va. div. a3

4 4

3 4

4 4

3 4

mf

5

5 5

5

4 4

Vc.

4 4

Cb.

unis.

5

mp 5

3 4

5

5

5

5

3 4 492

490

4 4

T.

the

youth

ful

bod

y,

beau

3 ti

ful

ly

wrought–

his moth

3 4

er,

492 Vn. I

mar

tyr,

4 4

3 4

4 4

3 4

4 4

3 4

4 4

3 4

4 4

3 4

4 4

3 4

pp div. a2 Vn. II

pp

pp

Va.

5

5

Vc.

pp

5

Cb.

pp

495 T.

very freely

3 4 3 wal lowed

Vn. I

on

the

ground

and

now

she keened no

more

a

bout

his

3 8

G.P.

4 4

3 8

G.P.

4 4

3 years:

3 4 f

Vn. II

3 4

3 8

4 4

3 8

4 4

3 8

4 4

3 8

4 4

f Va.

3 4 f

Vc.

Cb.

3 4 3 4

f

f

37 500 Slightly Faster q = 74

4 4

T.

“sev en teen days

on

ly,”

she

keened,

4 4

Solo Vn.

mf

n

mp

f

500 Slightly Faster q = 74

4div. a3 4

Vn. I

p

f

p

f

p

f

p

f

p

div. a3

4 4

Vn. II

p div. a3

4 4

Va.

p div. a3

4 4

Vc.

p

504 T.

“sev en teen days

on ly

I had joy

of

you,

my

child.”

Solo Vn.

mp

mf

Vn. I

f

mf

p

p

mf

f

mf

p

p

mf

f

mf

p

p

mf

Vn. II

Va.

Vc.

f

511 Solo Vn.

mp

Vn. I

p

ppp

p

f

p

f

p

p

ppp

p

f

p

f

p

p

ppp

f

p

f

p

Vn. II

Va.

mf

mf

p

38

520 Solo Vn.

3

mp

3

520 1 solo Vn. I

p

1 solo

p Vn. II

parlando* gli altri

p

1 sola

p

Va.

parlando* le altre

p

1 solo

p

Vc.

parlando* gli altri

p

div. arco, slow tremolo; almost measured

Cb.

p

mf

p

mf

526 Solo Vn.

3 4

3

mf

p

3

3 4

Vn. I

3 4 Vn. II

non div.

3 4 3 4

Va.

3 4 3 4

Vc.

3 4 3 4

Cb.

p

mf

*loose plainchant on given pitches

p

mf

p

mf

p

39 532

4 4

Solo Vn.

536

3

p

mf

536

(1 solo)

4 4

Vn. I

mfz

4 4

1 solo

mfz Vn. II

4 4

gli altri

unis.

mfz

4 4

1 sola

mfz

Va.

4 4

le altre

mfz

4 4

1 solo

mfz

Vc.

4 4

gli altri

mfz (div.)

4 4

Cb.

tremolos get faster from here

mf

p

mf

538 Solo Vn.

mp

Vn. I

Vn. II

Va.

Vc.

Cb.

p

mf

p

mf

p

mf

40 544 Solo Vn.

f

sf

p dolciss.

(1 solo) Vn. I

1 solo

Vn. II

div.

unis.

gli altri

1 sola

Va. le altre

1 solo

Vc. gli altri

(div.)

norm. speed

Cb.

p

mf

p

mf

p

mf

p

552 New tempo q = 120 off the string Solo Vn.

mp

552 New tempo q = 120 tutti, off the string Vn. I

mp tutti, off the string Vn. II

mp tutte, off the string Va.

mp Cb.

mp

mp

556

mf

mp

mf

T.

There is

Solo Vn.

Vn. I

Vn. II

Va.

Cb.

mp

mf

mp

one

joy

a

lone,

but one

that's

blessed,

mf

41 560 T.

one

con

so

la

tion

on

ly

in

this

pain.

Solo Vn.

Vn. I

Vn. II

Va.

564 T.

How

man y throng

ing

taw dry days

were missed

3 be cause of this

Solo Vn.

Vn. I

Vn. II

Va.

568 T.

end

ing;

how much

en

nui.

pizz.

Solo Vn.

n

p

Vn. I

Vn. II

Va.

571 T.

A

arco Solo Vn.

f

p

f

Vn. I div.

sempre mp

Vn. II

po

et

has

42 577

575 T.

said:

“The

love

li

est

mu

sic

is

Solo Vn.

sf

sf

6

mp

6

577

Vn. I div.

Vn. II

Va.

mp

579 T.

the one

that can not

be played.�

Solo Vn.

n

sf

mf

unis.

Vn. I

Vn. II

Va.

583 T.

And

I,

I

dare

say

Solo Vn.

pp

Vn. I div.

choose any note, gently swell, fade; repeat al fine, change pitch ad lib.

Vn. II div.

choose any note, gently swell, fade; repeat al fine, change pitch ad lib.

Va.

43 588

587 T.

that

by

far

the

best

life

Solo Vn.

f

p

588

Vn. I div.

Vn. II div.

Va.

pizz. gliss.

mf

Vc. tutti div.

5

mf

5

mp unis., ord.

Cb.

mp

593

591 T.

that can not

be lived.

Solo Vn.

mf

593

Vn. I

Vn. II

Va.

Vc.

mf

mf Cb.

mf

5

is

the one

44

595 Solo Vn.

sff

f

Vn. I div.

(non cresc.)

f

Vn. II div.

(non cresc.)

non div.

Va.

p

mf

Vc. div.

mf

5

f

mf

f

mf

Cb.

599 Solo Vn.

p

Vn. I

ff

ppp

Vn. II

ff

ppp

Va.

p

Vc.

Cb.

mf

p

mf

5

mf