A Stillness that Moves

A Stillness That Moves, written for soprano, baritone, clarinet, viola and percussion, is a site-specific, theatrical work commissioned by Houston Grand Opera for the Rothko Chapel in Houston Texas. The four-line motto of the Chapel serves as the text for the entire piece. Because Rothko Chapel’s mission is to foster meaningful connections and to emphasize non-division among religions and cultures, I’ve incorporated translations of these lines in different languages as well as in the original English text into this work. I am indebted to my Civitella fellows of spring 2022, who generously provided translations in the languages they speak. Their involvement in this project not only commemorates our wonderful residency, but also highlights our diversity and unity, in line with Rothko Chapel’s vision.

a stillness that moves
a quiet disruption
a sanctuary for the seeker
all are welcome

Rothko Chapel, Houston/TX

寂静裡的波瀾
請輕輕地暫停、放下
這探索者的聖殿
人人都歡迎

Shih-Hui Chen, Taiwan/USA

una quietud que conmueve
una interrupción silenciosa
un santuario por los que buscan
todos son bienvenidos

Mario Chard, Argentina/USA

uma calma que se move
uma perturbação silenciosa
um santuário para os que buscam
todos são bem-vindos

Emilio Fraia, Brazil

una quiete in movimento
una silenziosa interruzione
un santuario per il bisognoso
tutti sono benvenuti

Greta Caseti, Italy

سكون متح ّرك
اضطراب هادئ
م7ذ للطالب
الكل مرحب به

Tamara Al Samerrae, Beirut

un calme mobile
une tranquille agitation
un sanctuaire pour le chercheur
tout le monde y est bienvenu

Maylis de Kerangal, France

променяща се неподвижност
тихо смущение
убежище за търсещия
всички са добре дошли

Iana Boukova, Bulgaria/Greece

μία ηρεμία που κινείται
μία ήσυχη αναστάτωση
ένα καταφύγιο για όποιον το αναζητά
όλοι είναι ευπρόσδεκτοι

Iana Boukova, Bulgaria/ Greece

ನಿಶ್ಚಲವಿಲ್ಲಿ ಚಲಿಸುವುದು
ಸುಪ್ತ ಉಲ್ಲಂಘನೆ
ಸಾಧಕರ ಅಭಯ ತಾಣವಿದು
ಎಲ್ಲರಿಗೂ ಸುಸ್ವಾಗತ

nischalavilli Chalisuvudu
suptha Ullanghane
sadhakara Abhaya thanavidu
ellarigu Suswagatha

Vivek Shanbhag, India

eine bewegende Stille
eine sanfte Unterbrechung
ein Zufluchtsort für Suchende
alle sind willkommen

Ying Wang, China/Germany

mir koji se pomera
tihi prekid
utočište za tragača
dobrodošlica svima

Sandra Popadic, Serbia/USA