And The Tale Told

And The Tale Told
The last in a trilogy of pieces that uses changing notational strategies to tell the story of sea voyage gone wrong ultimately leading to a shipwreck. They set out as violin, vibraphone, and piano, losing a member in each part of the trilogy. In the first part, the notation directs them into uncharted waters and their navigational systems give out. In the second, the piano and vibraphone float and thrash in nighttime waters, the notation challenging them to improvise floatation devices and show their swimming skills. In the third, the violin makes it to the tavern on land and tells the story in alternating modes of excitement and lamentation. But here the notation is conventional and fully prescriptive. Is this tale too scripted? Is it only fate that brought back only the violinist or should we be suspicious?