" [Vicki] Ray donned a microphone headset for Kirsten’s (speak to me)...reciting texts by the composer and Mariko Nagai –- gibberish and otherwise -- in crisp Sprechstimme unison with her piano part. Thematic references to the Echo and Narcissus myths lent breadth to a piece engaging on its own performance terms, in Ray’s hands (and voice)." Los Angeles Times, Nov. 16, 2011.

Composed in 2010 for vocalizing pianist; duration is 14 minutes. Commissioned by Piano Spheres and California Institute of the Arts for pianist Vicki Ray.

- - Scroll down to view VIDEO: Lisa Kaplan, piano. April 16, 2012. Ganz Hall Roosevelt University, Chicago

Program Note:

(speak to me) is a three-part dramatization of the Echo and Narcissus myth. In the first movement (Deceit), we get a very real sense of how the charismatic and fast-talking Echo spins one of her animated stories; we, her captive audience, are left bewildered while trying to keep up. In the second movement (Curse), the pianist vocally portrays two characters at once - the terrified Echo (high breathy sounds) and the vengeful Juno (deep notes) - as Juno casts the spell which leaves Echo without the ability to speak. The first two movements feature both piano and the pianist's voice, but the last movement (Longing) is for piano alone – reflecting Echo’s forced silence as she wanders the empty forest alone. The last movement is woven out of musical material featured in the first two movements – especially the pitches assigned to the words “Can you hear in my voice?” Played over and over those pitches form a motive that yearns for a way to reach out and be heard.

movement 1 text/gibberish by the composer, movement 2 text by Mariko Nagai.