songs found in dream

Liza LIM
Born 1966, Perth, Australia

songs found in dream (2005)

oboe, clarinet/bass clarinet, alto saxophone, trumpet, percussion I, percussion II, violoncello, contrabass
Duration 16'
Commissioned by Salzburg Festival 2005

`song´, `found´, `dream´: These are seemingly well-worn poetic terms. In the ecstatic art of the Aboriginal nations in the western desert regions of Australia, these poetic categories take on aesthetic values that emphasise an energetic quality. In these cultures, rituals are brought into being by shaman-healers who `stalk and capture´ songs, dances, ceremonial body markings and other designs in dream. It is said that they recognise these forms by the force of their `shimmer´. For instance, songs found in dream are described in the Kukatja language as `kalyuyuru´ -- `like water shimmering as it falls´.

Commissioned by the Salzburg Festival and premiered by Klangforum Wien, August 21, 2005

Programme note © Liza LIM