[Intro – 32 bars, instrumental only] [Glass harmonica introduces the unforgettable five-note lament. A lonely cello takes over. Delicate harp, bowed psaltery and dark strings slowly enter. Fragile, tragic beauty. No vocals.] [Vocalise I – 16 bars, intimate female alto] [Two long, slow, beautifully connected melodic phrases. One sustained vowel per phrase.] Aaaaa... Eeeee... [Interlude I – 16 bars, instrumental only] [Solo cello repeats the siren melody, accompanied by glass harmonica and delicate harp. Distant, low whale songs emerge beneath the cello melody. Subtle but clearly audible. No human vocals.] [Vocalise II – 16 bars, fragile and deeply sorrowful] [Long sustained legato phrases, no rapid vowel changes.] Eeeee... Aaaaa... [Refrain – 16 bars, haunting five-note descending melody] [Four long melodic phrases, each with a single sustained vowel.] Aaaaa... Eeeee... Aaaaa... Eeeee... [Interlude II – 24 bars, instrumental only] [The complete refrain melody passes between solo cello, bowed psaltery and bass clarinet. Richer bittersweet harmonies rise toward a heartbreaking instrumental climax. No vocals.] [Vocalise III – 16 bars, rising into fragile high notes] [Slow human vocalise, tender and sorrowful, never screaming.] Aaaaa... Eeeee... [Refrain – 16 bars, more intense] Aaaaa... Eeeee... Aaaaa... Eeeee... [Interlude III – 24 bars, instrumental only] [Contrabass and bass clarinet descend into profound darkness. Solo cello introduces an aching variation of the main melody. Glass harmonica answers. Long suspended harmonies resolve with painful tenderness. Deep, mournful whale songs answer the bass clarinet from afar. Slow, lonely and haunting. No human vocals.] [Vocalise IV – 16 bars, low, intimate, almost broken with grief] [Two long sustained phrases with delicate melodic movement.] Eeeee... Aaaaa... [Interlude IV – 24 bars, instrumental only] [Harp and bowed psaltery introduce a delicate countermelody. Cello and dark strings gradually build a powerful emotional ascent. No vocals.] [Final Refrain – 24 bars, soaring tragic beauty] [The unmistakable five-note melody reaches its final, devastatingly beautiful climax. Long legato phrases, never operatic.] Aaaaa... Eeeee... Aaaaa... Eeeee... [Outro – 40 bars, extended instrumental only] [The voice disappears completely. The entire refrain melody continues on solo cello and glass harmonica, slowing and becoming increasingly fragile. Harp harmonics and bowed psaltery gradually fade. Occasional distant whale songs emerge beneath the glass harmonica and final cello lament. A final aching cello phrase remains suspended above a deep contrabass tone. All sounds gradually dissolve into silence. No human vocals.]
