Requiem David Bowie (Some Are)

Publication

Broadcast on Nova, Lyric FM, RTÉ, Ireland ([archive])(http://www.rte.ie/lyricfm/nova/programmes/2016/0320/776235-nova-sunday-20-march-2016/?clipid=2137151#2137151 “outside link”). 20 March 2016.

Yoga for Beginners by Adam Wyeth, performed by Paula McGlinchey. Scene and Heard festival, Smock Alley Theatre, Dublin. 17-18 February 2016.

Description

This piece was written to commemorate the death of David Bowie.

Playrite Adam Wyeth included it in the premiere of Yoga for Beginners. “A yoga class with a difference. As the instructor’s hidden turmoil rises to the surface this unique workout will give you a little more than you bargained for.”

Time exists within the song, held in suspension. Every moment accumulates within us, like ash from the end of a cigarette. How can we weigh smoke? How can we measure what has passed? What do we invest in listening? What does the song instantiate within us?

“Some are winter sun”, Bowie sung.

This composition is my attempt to extract time from the song “Some Are”, to make seconds more substantial, so that their passing can be ever more obvious.

“Time takes a cigarette.” Time leaves dust within us. Time leaves us, finally.

You are not alone. You’re only shadow, here under the burning light of the winter sun. Where we are all shadow and ash.

Thanks

Thanks to Bernard Clarke for unflagging support.