Personified River: whanganui

For mixed ensemble: Piccolo & Alto Flute, Bass Clarinet, Percussion, Piano, Violin, Viola, Violoncello.

Percussion: Wine glass with water, Crotales (hung & dipped into water), Marimba (5 octave preferred)

Duration: [7’30'“]

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

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).

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