“Turnstile” is inspired after an old fashioned carnival fun house. Passing through the turnstile gets you in, and the only way out is through to the end. Tight harmonies including many diminished chords and tritones interspersed with a feeling of major tonality give this piece both comfort and uneasiness. At m.13 a cute second melody appears in a meter of 4, over an accompaniment in a meter of 3. The slow section beginning at m.34 brings a bit of solace, with a fugue and some cross relations for added uncertainty. Every fun house has a room that seems just a little too normal, and this is that room. A reprise of the opening themes shows you to the exit. Whether tonal or rhythmic, “Turnstile” keeps pressing the uneasy button!

— Jamison Forge

 

Performance notes: Flutter-tonguing in mm. 12 and 21 is produced by “rolling” r’s as in Spanish; the tongue rests on the ridge behind the upper teeth, and the tip flaps rapidly on a cushion of passing air. A similar effect is produced by rolling the back of the throat as in French. Native speakers of English may have difficulty with this sound, so British recorder professional Sarah Jeffery has a video tutorial on both techniques at https://youtu.be/fMp4bG3Co7o

This Members’ Library Edition is made possible by a gift from Ann Carney, who writes, “I was excited and challenged when, many years ago, my job as an organist offered me encouragement to learn recorder so I could play in church. I’ve especially enjoyed playing with others, so I’m pleased to be able to support an addition to the ensemble repertoire that every ARS member can enjoy. I’d like to dedicate my contribution to the memory of my teacher and friend, Scott Reiss.”