The Goldenrod Wisps
The Goldenrod Wisps is a form of music used during marches and military engagements originally devised by the elf Evala Howlsystems. The form guides musicians during improvised performances. A speaker recites any composition of The East Guilds while the music is played on two to three ilare, one to two mirise and a niceci. The musical voices join in melody and counterpoint, harmony and rhythm. The entire performance is to be in whispered undertones. The melody and counterpoint both have short phrases throughout the form. It is performed without preference for a scale and in free rhythm. Throughout, when possible, performers are to play legato.
- The Goldenrod Wisps has a well-defined multi-passage structure: an introduction and a theme, a bridge-passage and one to two brief series of variations on the theme.
- The introduction is voiced by the melody of the mirise, the counterpoint of the ilare, the rhythm of the niceci and the speaker. The passage should be bright and is fast. Each of the mirise stays in the shrill high register. This passage features only melodic tones and intervals.
- The theme is voiced by the melody of the niceci, the counterpoint of the mirise, the rhythm of the ilare and the speaker. The passage should be made with skill and is very fast. Each of the mirise stays in the strident low register. This passage typically has some sparse chords.
- The bridge-passage is voiced by the melody of the mirise, the counterpoint of the ilare, the harmony of the niceci and the speaker. The passage should feel tender and is moderately fast. Each of the mirise covers its entire range from the strident low register to the shrill high register. Only one pitch is ever played at a time in this passage.
- Each of the series of variations is voiced by the melody of the ilare, the melody of the mirise, the melody of the niceci and the speaker. Each passage should evoke tears and is consistently slowing. Each of the mirise stays in the strident low register. This passage typically has some sparse chords.
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