Jean-François Bulart
Le Métronome
for Chorus (SSATBB) (20 parts)
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Jean-François Bulart
Le Métronome
for Chorus (SSATBB) (20 parts)
- Instrumentation Mixed Choir (SSATBB)
- Composer Jean-François Bulart
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Difficulty Level
- Edition Sheet Music
- Publisher Editions Marc Reift
- Order no. EMR99137
ships within 1-2 weeks
Description:
This piece for a cappella choir (SSATBB) makes the metronome both the subject and the game: the needle that swings from one side to the other without hesitation, until the "stop!"—which must be restarted by winding the key. Building on this theme, the bilingual text (French/English) further develops the metaphor of the prescribed tempo—sometimes fast, sometimes slow, compelling yet harmonious—which one must "hold on to" in order not to fall behind. The writing style, with a touch of swing, is based on a lively rhythmic interplay of voices: Onomatopoeic sounds—"doo dou," "ba ba," "wap wap," and "da da"—mimic the pulse and mechanics of the instrument, while the general pauses (G.P.) mark the sudden stops of the pendulum. Alternating between lively homophonic passages and vocal percussion effects, the work offers a lighthearted, humorous, and effective concert piece that highlights rhythmic precision and ensemble interplay.