Lynn Job
Anchored in Perath: an apocalypse by Lynn Job
Anchored in Perath: an apocalypse (solo organ | graphic score) (6 min.) (2006)
Anchored in Perath: an apocalypse (2006) is a 6-minute piece for solo organ inspired
by a 4-stanza apocalyptic poem: Sacred Stream IV: Meditations by the River Euphrates
(1999). This poem is the last in a 4-poem set about the past, present and future of the 4 rivers of
Eden – written by the composer while residing a short walk from the Cliffs of Moher, County
Clare, Ireland (the Atlantic coast north of Liscannor Bay). Per-ath’ is the Hebrew name for
Euphrates, and the individuals who are “anchored” are the 4 angels bound there, loosed for
great destruction only at the 6th Trumpet (Rev. 9: 13-21, violent war). Relating to this vision are also the visions of the 6th Bowl (Rev. 16: 12-16, where the Euphrates dries up), and, the 6th Seal (Rev. 6:12-17, a great earthquake). The numbers 6 and 4 become embedded in many levels throughout this layered work of blended poetry, music, and visual collage – hand-
pastelled, glued, and torn by the composer. Stepping back from this complex canvas, the
musical elements are oppositely calm and reflective, abstractly evocative, bold, at once clear
and impressionistic – leaving space for the consideration of a past and prophetic drama so
enormous, musical gestures fail to compete for foreground.
This unique art piece developed from Mr. Cooman’s request (2005) for a graphic
notation score (a rare, 20th-century illustrated print genre from which a musician must
extrapolate sonic material). He wished for a subtext with something of an archaeological
patina. The composer chose to make this a very personal work drawing on her Judean desert
expedition experiences in Qumran, Israel (1989), her years of spiritual studies, and her
penchant for symbolist design. The performer plays from a single, large color poster and is
supplied with helps and keys to decipher various directions for cuneiform clefs, Sanskrit tempi,
mixed alphabets, 1200 B.C. oil lamps, Qumran scroll jars, and more. A few sections of
indeterminacy exist. Real cuneiform music was researched, real artifacts photographed – even
down to a silver cartouche “Lynn” made at the Egyptian Pyramids, followed by “Job” faux-
embossed onto a clay seal (brought out from the destruction layer of Jerusalem, the time of
Baruch the Scribe) shown on the back cover credits. In the center of the top half is a
reproduction of a mystic angel by George Frederick Watts “The Dweller in the Innermost”
(1886) – completely unknown to the poet/composer until the last stage of this project and
perfectly suited to the vision.
UPCOMING EVENTS for LYNN JOB
(get music stage performance details — http://www.buckthornstudios.com/perf.htm
get personal appearance details — http://www.buckthornstudios.com/appearances.htm )
* September 25, 2009 (8:45 a.m. – Morning Prayers) | Musical Works by Lynn Job. Carson Cooman, solo organ
& The Choral Fellows of Harvard University Choir. Morning prayers have been kept since 1636.
| Appleton Chapel, Harvard Memorial Church | Cambridge, Massachusetts.
[Visiting Guest Composer appearance]
* September 25, 2009 (7:30 p.m.) | “The Sixth Night” (lullaby for solo guitar) — World premiere.
Commissioned for the “New Lullaby Project,” Aaron Larget-Caplan, director
Recital of Solo Classical Guitar | Pusey Room, Harvard Memorial Church, Cambridge, Mass.
[Visiting NLP Composer-in-Residence]
* September 27, 2009 (3:00 p.m.) | “The Sixth Night” (lullaby for solo guitar) — New Hampshire premiere.
Commissioned for the “New Lullaby Project,” Aaron Larget-Caplan, director.
“Exotic Dances and New Lullabies,” Rectal of Solo Classical Guitar by Larget-Caplan.
Studio 99 | Nashua, New Hampshire
[Visiting NLP Composer-in-Residence]
* October 3, 2009 | 60×60 Dance (2009 International); includes
“Malachi-Messenger” by Job. Wallstreet | Columbus, Ohio
* November 6, 2009 | 60×60 Dance (2009 International); includes
“Malachi-Messenger” by Job. Electronic Midwest Music Festival (EMM) | Kansas City, Kansas
* November 8, 2009 | 60×60 Dance (2009 International); includes
“Malachi-Messenger” by Job. New Music Circle Celebration | St. Louis, Missouri
* November 9, 2009 (11:00 a.m.) | “Music Now” – Div. of Composition, UNT, Lecture Series.
Visiting Guest Composers Theresa Sauer (editor) & Dr. Lynn Job discuss
“Notations 21 – an anthology of innovative musical notation” (New York: Mark Batty Publisher, 2008)
Film, Q & A, recordings & more including on-site availability of the graphic score by Job:
“Anchored in Perath: an apocalypse” (2006) plus autographed anthologies by Sauer.
| Denton, Texas
[Visiting Guest Composer appearance]
* November 10, 2009 (11:00 a.m. – 12:20 p.m.) | “Contemporary Performance Practices” (MUCP 5580)
- Div. of Composition, UNT, hosted by Dr. Elizabeth McNutt.
Visiting Guest Composers Theresa Sauer (editor) & Dr. Lynn Job discuss
“Notations 21 – an anthology of innovative musical notation” (New York: Mark Batty Publisher, 2008)
Film, Q & A, recordings & more including on-site availability of the graphic score by Job:
“Anchored in Perath: an apocalypse” (2006) plus autographed anthologies by Sauer.
| Denton, Texas
[Visiting Guest Composer appearance]
