Percussion Quartet

Seahorses (2009)                                4:15

 

Seahorses were at threat from dredging in Port Phillip Bay, Australia. These gentle, almost otherworldly sea creatures are territorial, and they cluster around their familiar localities such as inlets and piers, moving in and out of the native seagrasses.

Time and the Tides (2009)                 10:16

 

Time and the Tides is inspired by the Bunerong Aboriginal story about rising levels in Port Phillip Bay as told by Aboriginal elder Caroline Briggs.

Percussion is connected with the industrial and recreational activity in the bays. Instruments include steel shipping drums (Eve can lend these), found beach objects and fishermen’s tackle. All musical elements connect to the rate of change of tide levels, and the movement from high to low tide.

 

Dredge Dragon (2009)                       6:00

 

Over him, as he lay there like a broken reed, the swelling waters flowed for human beings. Those waters that Vrtra enclosed within his power – the dragon now lay at their feet. (The Rig Veda)

Dredge Dragonexplores the underbelly of emotions around the dredging of shipping channels in Port Phillip Bay, Victoria. It enters the mythical realm of the Dredge Dragon, its fear, heartlessness and ruthlessness, by which industry and technology advances, often with insensitivity to the natural environment. I imagined it covered with slimy scales, with fearsome talons and fiery breath.

Dragonfly (2001)                                2:02

Dragonflies are attracted to light on water. Hovering with great intensity, then moving a large distance, it is accompanied by a fire spirit.

 

Butterfly (2001)                                  4:03

The butterfly is composed almost entirely of light. It sends spiritualised matter into the cosmos, creating a unique butterfly corona around the earth. The interplay of the forces of the sun and Saturn create its coloured wings. When it dies, it sends flaming spiritualised substance out into eternity.

 

Mosquito (2001)                                 3:14

The moon, Mercury and Venus ray forces in to mosquito larvae. Jupiter penetrates the developing chrysalis. The mosquito desires human blood – at the risk of being swatted.