I Seem to be a Verb, for 2 narrators, 4 solo voices (SATB), 3 percussionists, double bass, and electronic tape includes a Score - 11 x 17, Percussion Part - 11 x 17, Narrator Script - Letter, Vocal Score - Legal, Double Bass Part - Letter, Recording Instructions - Letter.
Review from Percussive Notes (2022):
Originally written in the 1970s, “I Seem To Be a Verb” was published in 2019. This rhythmically rich, tonally intriguing piece takes its text from two books: I Seem to Be a Verb, and No More Secondhand God, both written by R. Buckminster Fuller in 1970 and 1971, respectively.
The notation for this work is written graphically, with a mix of standard Western notation and the composer’s graphic ideas, to communicate lengths of time (in seconds) and to coordinate events. I appreciate that each new page of the 11x17 score only includes the current parts that are generating sound: thus, it is less confusing, visually, to understand the intended soundscape of each page. The score also comes spiral-bound, as do the contrabass, narrator, and voice scores. The percussion part is loose-leaf, which allows performers to bind it however they wish. All three percussion parts are notated on one percussion score.
Sonically, the piece is an exciting exploration, mixing interesting vocalizations with both typical and special percussion playing techniques. The mixed-meter use and frequent changes ensure that the music creates an engaging environment that reflects the narrators’ text. This piece would be perfect for a college ensemble or a professional group, as it showcases a variety of performers. As a personal aside, how fortunate for us that many publishing companies are releasing digitized and reprinted versions of older scores!
—Cassie Bunting
