Try

Jazmine Saunders, voice; and Ji Youn Lee, piano; Text by Erin Lynch.

Natalie Sheppard, voice; and Aidan Gold, piano; Text by Erin Lynch

Try sets a poem by Erin Lynch, for Mezzo-Soprano voice and Piano. The piece begins with a “shuddering” rhythm in the low piano, moving rapidly between different types of techniques on the string. A mysterious central section follows, with melodies plucked in the piano strings. At the ending, the pianist tries to cadence, but is denied quite literally by the vocalist who presses their hands on the strings, dampening them and preventing the pianist’s notes from speaking. This attempts to musically represent the line of the poem “No, but we have to try“.

Try – Full Score

For additional information, questions, or parts requests, contact Aidan.