Everything Is Vanishing

for Glockenspiel, Vibraphone, and spoken text

Composer

Rodney Sharman

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SKU: 81095
Call Number: MV 1230 S531eve
Format: Print Music
Composition Date: 2017
Duration: 00:13:10
Instrumentation: Solo Voice, with Chamber Ensemble, Percussion
Publisher: Canadian Music Centre

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Everything Is Vanishing

for Glockenspiel, Vibraphone, and spoken text

Everything is Vanishing (2018) Music: Rodney Sharman, Text: Alexander Hutchison

I saw a youtube video of Alexander Hutchison reading his poem, Everything, shortly after his death in 2015. I immediately wanted to ally myself artistically with its direct, truthful message. The impact of some poetry is greater when heard aloud. I believe this is true of Everything, perhaps because of the hypnotic repetition of the line: “everything is vanishing”.

The opportunity to set the poem to music came when Brett Dietz asked me for a duo for vibraphone and glockenspiel with spoken text. Vibraphone and glockenspiel create sounds that are struck and disappear like bells. This can remind us of the temporal nature of existence, so frankly and lovingly expressed in this poem.

Everything is Vanishing was commissioned by percussionists Brett Dietz and Justin Greene, and is dedicated to them both. Text is used and reprinted with permission of Salt Publishing, UK.

– RS

Everything

Everything is racing

everything is vanishing

Everything is hosted

everything is vanishing

Everything in the world that’s seen

everything is vanishing

All the angels rise and sing

everything is vanishing

Everything that’s clothed or bare

everything is vanishing