Tender Buttons

Tender Buttons (2016)

performed by Diana Newman and Viano Quartet with Stephen Perkyns
featuring artwork by Morgan Thomas Shankweiler

performed by Lucy Fitz Gibbon and Argus Quartet

I. It was black, black took
II. Colored hats
Interlude - Cooking
III. Veal
IV. A little bit of a tumbler
V. Custard
Interlude - Cooking (more)
VI. A time to eat
VII. Sauce
VIII. Chicken
Interlude - Cooking (even more)
IX. Roast Potatoes
X. A blue coat
XI. Dirt and not copper

Tender Buttons is a series of musical panels for soprano and string quartet. Much like a graphic novel, the individual movements are frozen in their drama. Yet, the piece is also a story. The movements present the reflections of a woman who is alone and mercurial--in this way Tender Buttons resembles a one-act opera for solo soprano.

The text for Tender Buttons comes from Gertrude Stein's collection of the same name. Stein's work is divided into three sections -- 'Food', 'Objects', and 'Rooms'. The poetry is infused with wit and word play, often prioritizing sound over meaning. In setting these texts, I was inspired by the internal rhythms and implied formal relationships build into the poetry. I also sought to imbue the music with the humor and curious oddity of Stein's work.

'Sauce', painting by Morgan Thomas Shankweiler

Performance History -

Diana Newman and Viano Quartet with Stephen Perkyns; Colburn Contemporary Ensemble in concert
April 4, 2019; Zipper Hall, The Colburn School, Los Angeles, CA

Vicentia Geraldine, Ru Huang, Emily Thebaut, and musicians from the USC Thornton School of Music; USC Graduate Students in Vocal Performance
March 2, 2019; Boston Court, Pasadena, CA

premiere:
Lucy Fitz Gibbon and Argus Quartet; Kettle Corn New Music Presents Argus Quartet and Special Guest Lucy Fitz Gibbon
December 9, 2017; New York Public Library at 53rd St., New York, NY