The Midi File

Preface

The Force that through the Green Fuse

The Force that through the Green Fuse is a setting of Dylan Thomas' poem of the same name. The work is intended as a companion to Stravinsky's In Memorium Dylan Thomas, with which it shares both the instrumentation and the fundamental five note set. The Force that through the Green Fuse utilises Stravinsky's set in a far more abstract fashion, and it is therefore intended that the work be performed after the Stravinsky. This piece was written for Huw Gareth Williams and the Contemporary Music Group of Cardiff University.

Instrumentation

Baritone (low B to high G)
2 Violins
Viola
Cello
3 Tenor Trombones
Bass Trombone

Notes on the Music

The ad lib. sections (sections B, D, F, H, and J) are conducted as indicated by the arrows. The beginning of each section is marked with an arrow (a) which corresponds to the downbeat of the conductor; this is followed by black arrows (b) that allow the conductor to set an approximate pace for the section as well as signaling to the players the start of the notes aligned under the arrows (the approximate tempo is given in brackets). Arrows (c) and (d) are downbeats for a specific group (indicated by a dotted line) or individual and are not for the whole ensemble. The rhythmic values are approximate in these sections, however, the distance between one note and the next is intended to be an indication of duration.

Dotted lines that link pitches in different parts at an angle are purely to aid the counterpoint and indicate that the pitches must be sounded in the order shown by the dotted line. This device is commonly used to show that the voice must wait for a trombone to sound a pitch before continuing.

The stemless black note-heads are used in these sections to indicate the end of a held note, and always appear tied to the held notes. The instrument should then rest and begin the next written note as usual.

Prologue

The Force that through the Green Fuse

The force that through the green fuse drives the flower
Drives my green age; that blasts the roots of trees
Is my destroyer
And I am dumb to tell the crooked rose
My youth is bent by the same wintry fever

The force that drives the water thorugh the rocks
Drives my red blood; that dries the mourning streams
Turns mine to wax.
And I am dumb to mouth unto my veins
How at the mountain spring the same mouth sucks.

The hand the whirls the water in the pool
Stirs the quicksand; that ropes the blowing wind
Hauls my shroud sail.
And I am dumb to tell the hanging man
How of my clay is made the hangman's line.

The lips of time leach to the fountain head;
Love drips and gathers, but the fallen blood
Shall calm her sores.
And I am dumb to tell a weathers wind
How time has ticked a heaven round the stars.

And I am dumb to tell the lover's tomb
How at my sheet goes the same crooked worm.

Dylan Thomas