Shimmer

Liza LIM
Born 1966, Perth, Australia

Shimmer (2004)

oboe solo
Duration 5'
Commissioned by Sydney Symphony for Diana DOHERTY

The word `shimmer´ for me, calls to mind the ecstatic central desert art of Aboriginal Australia. This is a culture in which 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 Kukatja language as `kalyuyuru' -- `like water shimmering as it falls´.

Commissioned by the Sydney Symphony for Diana DOHERTY and premiered May 2004.

Programme note © Liza LIM