The Fortuitous Plays
The Fortuitous Plays is a form of music used to commemorate important events originally devised by the elf Necalo Springreveres. The form guides musicians during improvised performances. Two chanters recite nonsensical words and sounds while the music is played on two thilama. The musical voices bring melody and counterpoint. The entire performance should be jumpy and is very fast. The melody has long 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, performers are to alternate tension and repose. The voice ranges from the low register to the middle register.
- Each thilama always does the main melody.
- The Fortuitous Plays has a well-defined multi-passage structure: an introduction, a lengthy theme and one to two series of variations on the theme possibly all repeated and a coda.
- The introduction is voiced by the melody of the thilama and the counterpoint of the chanters reciting The Reason of Glitter. The passage is to become louder and louder. Only one pitch is ever played at a time in this passage.
- The theme is voiced by the melody of the thilama. The passage is to be moderately soft. Chords are packed close together in dense clusters in this passage.
- Each of the series of variations is voiced by the melody of the thilama. Each passage is to be in whispered undertones. This passage typically has some sparse chords.
- The coda is voiced by the melody of the thilama. The passage is to be loud. This passage typically has some sparse chords.
Events