The Sable Lace
The Sable Lace is a form of music used to commemorate important events originally devised by the elf Ametha Flowertool. The rules of the form are applied by composers to produce individual pieces of music which can be performed. A chanter recites nonsensical words and sounds while the music is played on a dagi. The musical voices bring melody, counterpoint and rhythm. The melody has short phrases, while the counterpoint has phrases of varied length throughout the form. It is performed without preference for a scale and in free rhythm. Throughout, when possible, composers and performers are to alternate tension and repose.
- The chanter always should feel mysterious.
- The dagi always should bring a sense of motion.
- The Sable Lace has a well-defined multi-passage structure: an introduction, a theme, a lengthy exposition of the theme, a bridge-passage and a recapitulation of the theme.
- The introduction is voiced by the melody of the dagi. The passage is moderately paced, and it is to become louder and louder. The dagi stays in the rugged middle register. This passage features only melodic tones and intervals.
- The theme is voiced by the melody of the dagi and the rhythm of the chanter reciting any composition of The North Strangers. The passage is consistently slowing, and it is to be very soft. The dagi ranges from the resonant low register to the rugged middle register and the chanter's voice stays in the middle register. This passage typically has some sparse chords. The passage should be composed and performed using frequent modulation.
- The exposition is voiced by the melody of the chanter reciting The Future of Justice and the counterpoint of the dagi. The passage slows and broadens, and it is to become softer and softer. The chanter's voice covers its entire range and the dagi covers its entire range from the resonant low register to the harsh high register. This passage typically has some sparse chords.
- The bridge-passage is voiced by the melody of the dagi and the rhythm of the chanter reciting any composition of The North Strangers. The passage slows and broadens, and it is to be moderately soft. The dagi ranges from the rugged middle register to the harsh high register and the chanter's voice ranges from the middle register to the high register. This passage features only melodic tones and intervals.
- The recapitulation is voiced by the melody of the dagi and the rhythm of the chanter reciting nonsensical words and sounds. The passage is at a free tempo, and it is to be in whispered undertones. The dagi covers its entire range from the resonant low register to the harsh high register and the chanter's voice ranges from the low register to the middle register. This passage typically has some sparse chords.
Events