We’ve updated our Terms of Use to reflect our new entity name and address. You can review the changes here.
We’ve updated our Terms of Use. You can review the changes here.

Alison Morgan, Kammerklang Chamber Orchestra, Sadaharu Muramatsu - Zmey Lipa - Dragon of the Linden Tree: II. On the Hill (Damian Griffin)

from Kammerklang: Alpha by Kammerklang

/
  • Streaming + Download

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    Purchasable with gift card

      $1 AUD  or more

     

  • Sheet Music + Digital Album

    Peter McNamara's percussion concerto The Styx, written for solo percussionist and chamber orchestra. Originally premiered by Claire Edwardes and Kammerklang in 2009. [Digital download score]

    Cover Art by Luke Moseley.

    Includes unlimited streaming of The Styx (Peter McNamara) via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    ships out within 1 day

      $30 AUD or more 

     

about

The Dragon of the Linden Tree is one of several projects in the works for author Jacqueline Brocker. In the Cave and On the Hill present Zmey Lipa (the eponymous dragon) at two markedly different stages of his long life, conveying changes in his connections to the world around him. The first journeys into the past, reflecting on Zmey Lipa’s rise to greatness, while the latter moves forward to the present, when Peter, a research student, finds his own ways of relating to the dragon and his accumulated learning.

In trying to give these scenes a musical voice, I have used a largely narrative, theatrical approach, while also drawing on influences stylistically relevant to the story, such as some of the folk music of Eastern Europe. In the Cave makes use of drones, close dissonances and ornamented, melismatic lines to reflect this style. The dissonances are expanded in the more contemplative sections of On the Hill, with harmonies created with motion of parallel tetrachord clusters. The contrasting viewpoints of the characters, arising from their differing life experiences, results in some correspondingly sharp musical contrasts – which, as in life, can hopefully be enjoyed for sheer absurdity value.

Perhaps the things I find most interesting about Zmey Lipa are how the performers embody the characters and their dialogue and whether or not I was able to adequately convey the nuances and humour in Brocker's text. It was also entertaining getting to share this fantasy world with everyone involved.

II. On the Hill moves forward to the present, when Peter, a research student, finds his own ways of relating to the dragon. In giving the scenes a musical voice, I have used a narrative, theatrical approach while drawing on influences relevant to the story, such as Eastern European folk music. Changes in perspective result in some correspondingly sharp musical contrasts – which, as in life, can hopefully be enjoyed for sheer absurdity value.

Composer Bio: Damian Griffin (b.1982)
Website: damiangriffinmusic.wordpress.com

Composer Damian Griffin has a passion for choral music, enriched through associations with St John’s College Choir and the Sydney University Musical, Madrigal and Musical Theatre Societies whilst completing an honours degree in Science (Advanced Mathematics). He has further developed his education in composition at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music and was a recipient of the Doris Burnett Ford Scholarship in 2005.

Several of Damian’s works were performed in 2008 at concerts run by the Sydney Eclectic Composers’ Society; many of these reflected his quirky view that contemporary music need not be painfully serious all of the time. He has enjoyed composing for and assisting Sounds Fine, the youth choir of Coffs Harbour Regional Conservatorium, and has also found copying and transcription work a productive outlet for his analytical, perfectionist streak. In 2010 his works were performed by the cross-artform organisation Kammerklang, in association with new music ensemble Halcyon. He was able to collaborate again with Halcyon in their 2011 young composers project First Stones.

When not obsessing over things magical and fantastical, Damian wholeheartedly loves his role as Director of Music (and mathematics tutor) for St John’s College within the University of Sydney. He has gained much satisfaction over the past decade working with its dedicated choristers and through hearing the College’s musical voice grow and flourish.

lyrics

Zmey Lipa - Dragon of the Linden Tree
II. On The Hill
Text by Jacqueline Brocker

~In our time...~

A young man and a dragon stand on a hill, in the
shade of an ancient linden tree. An autumn breeze
blows gently as they look out across the fields,
valleys, and trees below them.

Then the dragon, Zmey Lipa, says “It’s warm
out here, in the sun, even as we stand under the
branches of the tree. Lands stretch out before us.
And above, the sky looms large, and a brilliant
blue in the autumn. I suppose, for a human, you’re
about as close to touching sky as you’ll ever be.”

There is a pause, and the young man, Peter,
smirks. “Don’t you think that phrase is kind of...
dumb? You know, ‘touch the sky.’ The sky’s not
solid, is it? I mean, you’d know that better than
I do, right?”

Zmey Lipa looks irritated, and responds. “Here
I am, trying to be poetic, and you, as they say in
English, take the wind out of my sails.”

“Out of your wings, you mean?” Peter says,
grinning even more broadly now.

Zmey Lipa snarls a little, though it doesn’t startle
Peter, for there is not much force behind it.
“You’re not as funny as you think you are, boy.”
Peter sighs. “I’m hardly a boy...though compared
to you, I guess I am just a baby. Besides...”
There is a pause, before he continues, his voice
much quieter. “You spend a lot of time laughing
at me. I amuse you, because I’m not as old or
knowledgeable or wise as you. So I say a lot of
stupid things.”

Zmey Lipa thinks on this for a while. Finally, he
speaks again. “You do amuse me, it is true. Please
don’t be too hurt by that, I mean no disrespect. It
is...fondness, actually. You are curious about me,
about my kind, more so than most other humans.
It is...flattering. And do not think I am wise just
because I am old.”

“You still blame yourself for...what happened,
beneath our feet, in the cave below?” Peter asks
gently.

Zmey Lipa doesn’t respond to this directly.
Instead, he says, “This tree is no doubt wiser than
I am. It is certainly as old as I, perhaps older. Look
how its leaves rustle in the breeze. See how the
seed pods fall, twirling to the ground--”
“You’re being poetical again,” Peter interrupts,
though he means it kindly. “Don’t make me put
my iPod on to drown you out.”

Zmey Lipa looks at Peter askance for a moment,
and then becomes more contemplative. “The
people would have been wiser to worship this tree.
Yes, boy, I do blame myself for what happened, in
the days when I was a god, and the time I ceased
to be.” Then he smiles, ruefully, before adding,
“You would not think it now looking on me.”

“But life is very different now, for you.”

“I was like an arrogant, spoilt teenager. Truly,
Peter, that is what I was. I was just like the evil
dragons in the old tales,” Zmey Lipa says, with a
rawness that Peter is startled by.

After a long moment, Peter finally says, “But not
all dragons are. They never have been. Some
are protectors, some are equal defenders of the
fields. You guarded the crops as often as destroy
them.”

“Hmm. And paid the price for that.”
Peter nods. “Yes, yes that’s true. But...you
learned, didn’t you? And I know it is not as simple
as the stories make it – at least, since meeting
you, I really know that. And I know it by...well,
feeling it. It’s not just knowledge anymore. It’s...
instinctive.”

Zmey Lipa looks about to speak, but he cannot
seem to find the words. Instead, he looks at Peter
with an expression of gratitude.

Then Peter grins again. “And besides, some
dragons have always been friends of foolish boys
like me.”

Zmey Lipa shakes his head, but he is smiling.

“You’re a strange boy, Peter.”

“And you are an unusual dragon, Zmey Lipa.”

credits

from Kammerklang: Alpha, released January 29, 2013
Composer: Damian Griffin
Lyricist: Jacqueline Brocker
Solo Soprano: Alison Morgan
Sound Engineer: Jayson McBride
Conductor: Sadaharu Muramatsu

Recorded for Kammerklang Vox

KAMMERKLANG CHAMBER ORCHESTRA (2009-2010):

Flutes: Shaun Barlow, Owen Salome
Oboes: Toby Thatcher, Matt Bubb
Clarinets: Toby Armstrong, Peter Smith
Saxophones: Nathan Henshaw, Paul Zaborac
Bassoons: Jakab Kaufmann, Cameron Burnes
Horns: Seb Dunn, Kartini Suharto-Martin, Cindy Sims

Percussion: Daniel Luscombe, Morgan Merrell
Piano: Jacob Abela, Jack Symonds, Vatche Jambazian
Keyboard: Amy Bastow
Harp: Genevieve Lang, Verna Lee, Claire McDonogh, Maryanne Tucker

Violins: Justin Leong, Colin Tripolone, Carol Tang, Adam Wasiel, Davide Quincey, Ben Adler, Victor Wu, Liz Stanton, Klara Morrison, Michelle Blewett, Ting Lee
Violas: Tara Hashambhoy, John Faye, Luke Spicer, Dominic Meagher, James Wannan
Cellos: Julienne Guerbois, Emma Trevena, Anthony Albrecht, Lucy Price
Double Basses: James Menzies, Steven Adler, Elsen Price, Brigitte Wirfler, Brian Sim

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

Kammerklang Sydney, Australia

Kammerklang (German for “Chamber sound”) is an Australian arts company specialising in the collaboration of music and other artforms, focusing on the fusion of sound and the “chamber” or space it’s performed in. The aim of Kammerklang is to present and promote new artistic creation that is inquisitive, detailed and accessible while still fostering exploration and communication between the arts. ... more

contact / help

Contact Kammerklang

Streaming and
Download help

Redeem code

Report this track or account

If you like Zmey Lipa - Dragon of the Linden Tree: II. On the Hill (Damian Griffin), you may also like: