stir

art song for tenor voice, bass trombone, and piano (written for bass trombonist Louis Bremer)

Composition Studio Recital – April 12, 2007 – Baylor University

Glenn Beals (tenor voice), Louis Bremer (bass trombone), Zach Ridgway (piano)


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Louis Bremer’s Recital – April 20, 2007 – Baylor University

(same performers)


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stir
words and music by Ben Johansen
commissioned by Louis Bremer

dis-com-fort
is
s–l–o–w–l–y
crushing
me

cooped up
cramped in
strapped down
hoPED OUT!!!

passion is bursting wrathfully
my body is twisting restlessly everything’s frustrating my anxiety
however
however
I am clenching, binding this biography

I fear perpetual longing
I crave then for now
yes I am here waiting
but patience is GONE!

BLOWUP!
WITHIN!!
BREAKDOWN!!!
WITHOUT!!!!

but I exist here tightly bound
anchored to this shameful ground
on it I beg and grovel
wanting my
novel: . . .