Fumeux fume (1990)
Arrangement of Solage for chamber ensemble and low voice ad lib.
Instrumentation: two bass clarinets (2nd = contrabass clarinet ad lib), viola, cello, guitar (10-string), percussion (2 players): marimba (bass marimba ad lib), xylophone, glockenspiel, bass drum
Dedicated to Chris Newman
Unpublished
Duration: c. 6 1/2 minutes
Première
First performance: June 1993; Brighton Festival, UK; London New Music
Programme note
Jean Solage’s (late 14th century) Fumeux fume is a much celebrated three-voice rondeau about a Parisian literary coterie known as the Society of Fumeurs, or ‘smokers’. The name has been variously explained as meaning the ‘originals’ or the ‘eccentrics’, as deriving from the name of their supposed founder, the mysterious ‘Jean Fumée’, or perhaps as referring to their use of hashish. It appears that this group were, like many other would-be bohemians, notorious for their ostentatious behaviour or arrogance.
I had the idea of making an arrangement for London Music which might include the composer/vocalist Chris Newman who had previously performed with the group. His somewhat deep gravelly voice would seem ideal for this piece.
The bizarre text reads thus:
Arrangement of Solage for chamber ensemble and low voice ad lib.
Instrumentation: two bass clarinets (2nd = contrabass clarinet ad lib), viola, cello, guitar (10-string), percussion (2 players): marimba (bass marimba ad lib), xylophone, glockenspiel, bass drum
Dedicated to Chris Newman
Unpublished
Duration: c. 6 1/2 minutes
Première
First performance: June 1993; Brighton Festival, UK; London New Music
Programme note
Jean Solage’s (late 14th century) Fumeux fume is a much celebrated three-voice rondeau about a Parisian literary coterie known as the Society of Fumeurs, or ‘smokers’. The name has been variously explained as meaning the ‘originals’ or the ‘eccentrics’, as deriving from the name of their supposed founder, the mysterious ‘Jean Fumée’, or perhaps as referring to their use of hashish. It appears that this group were, like many other would-be bohemians, notorious for their ostentatious behaviour or arrogance.
I had the idea of making an arrangement for London Music which might include the composer/vocalist Chris Newman who had previously performed with the group. His somewhat deep gravelly voice would seem ideal for this piece.
The bizarre text reads thus:
| Fumeux fume par fumee, Fumeuse speculacion. Qu’antre fummet sa pensee, Fumeux fume par fumee. Quar fumer molt li agree’ Tant qu’il ait son entencion’. Fumeux fume par fumee, Fumeuse speculacion. | The smoker smokes through smoke, A smoky speculation. While others smoke in thought, The smoker smokes through smoke, Because smoke pleases him greatly As he meditates. The smoker smokes through smoke, A smoky speculation. |
