The Rhyme of Cherishing
The Rhyme of Cherishing is a form of music used for entertainment originally devised by the elf Sethe Stylesubmerge. The form guides musicians during improvised performances. A chanter recites the words of Independence while the music is played on a imama and a ile. The musical voices join in melody, counterpoint and harmony. The entire performance should build as it proceeds. The melody has long phrases, while the counterpoint has short phrases throughout the form. It is performed without preference for a scale and in free rhythm. Throughout, when possible, performers are to play rapid runs.
- The chanter always is to be moderately loud.
- The imama always is to fade into silence.
- The ile always is to fade into silence.
- The Rhyme of Cherishing has a well-defined multi-passage structure: a lengthy theme, an exposition of the theme, a recapitulation of the theme and a finale.
- The theme is voiced by the melody of the chanter and the harmony of the imama. The passage is very slow. The chanter's voice ranges from the low register to the middle register and the imama ranges from the strident middle register to the muddy high register. Chords are packed close together in dense clusters in this passage.
- The exposition is voiced by the melody of the imama, the melody of the ile and the counterpoint of the chanter. The passage is fast. The imama stays in the rippling low register and the chanter's voice stays in the low register. This passage typically has some sparse chords.
- The recapitulation is voiced by the melody of the imama, the melody of the ile and the harmony of the chanter. The passage is at a walking pace. The imama ranges from the rippling low register to the strident middle register and the chanter's voice ranges from the middle register to the high register. Only one pitch is ever played at a time in this passage.
- The finale is voiced by the melody of the chanter and the counterpoint of the ile. The passage slows and broadens. The chanter's voice ranges from the low register to the middle register. This passage typically has some sparse chords.
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