Personified River: whanganui

For mixed ensemble: Piccolo & Alto Flute, Bass Clarinet, Percussion, Piano, Violin, Viola, Violoncello. Duration: [7’]

Premiered by the Aspen Contemporary Ensemble during the 2017 Aspen Music Festival.

Personified River: Whanganui
Composer: Linda Dallimore | Ensemble: Aspen Contemporary Ensemble | Publisher: Linzmusic

Programme Note

Personified River: Whanganui is inspired by a recent occurrence in New Zealand. The Whanganui River, a major river in the North Island, has been bestowed with the legal status of a person, in a unique approach which both honors indigenous Maori beliefs and helps ensure preservation of the river. The music includes abstract sounds inspired by the river (which is murky and often still) and the surrounding atmosphere. Db is employed as the fundamental or soul of the river. Human elements are interwoven, including a heartbeat motif and a call or waiata (maori song).

Media

Composer Interview at Aspen Music Festival
Interviewer: Timothy Weiss
Personified River: Whanganui for large ensemble (2017) by Linda Dallimore Joint 2nd Place, 2017 Douglas Lilburn Trust Composition Competition Performers: Rebecca Grimwood, piccolo/alto flute; Alex Eichelbaum, bass clarinet; Grace McKenzie, violin; Caroline Norman, viola; Matthias Balzat, cello; Maree Kilpatrick, piano; Riley Cahill, percussion; Josiah Carr, conductor.
Performance at the University of Auckland 2017 Douglas Lilburn Prize concert

Performance at the University of Auckland 2017 Douglas Lilburn Prize concert

Personified River: Whanganui being rehearsed by the Aspen Contemporary Ensemble at the Aspen Music Festival 2017

Personified River: Whanganui being rehearsed by the Aspen Contemporary Ensemble at the Aspen Music Festival 2017