Michelle Sommerhauser recites "Forever is Too Long," her winning entry in poetry contest sponsored by TMU for this concert. The Mechanics collectively chose this work as an embodiment of timelessness, which was the theme of the competition. The poem is accompanied by a rhythmic piece entitled al-jabr, the Arabic term for restoration, or reunification of broken parts. This is also the source of "algebra" in English. In keeping with the motifs of timelessness and reunification, this is an additive piece, meaning each measure adds beats & measures to the one before it. The cycle runs from two measure of 2/4 followed by three of 3/4 until nine measures of 9/4 is played, at which point the cycle repeats. An improvised melody is played over this on the Turtle Pan, built by Dave Lowery of Ontario, Canada. Recorded Thursday, May 7, 2009 in the Robert Brown Theatre, Cowley College The Mechanics: Jessemine Baker, Brandi Berntsen, Lacy Brown, Wayne Farley, Mike Fell, Thomas Govert, Kat! ie Grimm, Bryan McChesney, Chris Mayer
