"Singing in Tongues" is a sprawling, ambitious avant-garde work by composer Liza Lim, released on Huddersfield Contemporary Records. Clocking in at nearly three hours, this album is a deep dive into Lim's unique musical language, blending theatricality, myth, and contemporary classical techniques. The album is divided into two main cycles: "The Oresteia" and "The Navigator," each exploring complex narratives and emotional landscapes.
"The Oresteia" is a modern reinterpretation of the ancient Greek trilogy, with each scene delving into the psychological and mythological depths of the characters. Lim's compositional style is intricate and evocative, with pieces like "Cassandra's Dream Song" and "Apollo's Masque" showcasing her ability to weave together dissonance and beauty.
"The Navigator" is a six-part suite that explores themes of journey, transformation, and perception. Tracks like "Sensorium" and "Transfiguration" highlight Lim's mastery of orchestration and her ability to create immersive soundscapes.
The album also includes live performances of pieces from the "Mother Tongue" series, which explore the complexities of language and communication. These tracks, along with the live performance of "Yuè Lìng Jié: Chang-O Flies to the Moon," add a dynamic, raw energy to the album.
"Singing in Tongues" is a testament to Liza Lim's innovative approach to composition, offering a rich and rewarding experience for those willing to explore its depths.
2021 Huddersfield Contemporary Records2021 (P) Huddersfield Contemporary Records
Tracks
The Oresteia, Scene 1: 7 Positions of a Memory Theatre (Cassandra's Dream Song)Liza Lim, Elision Ensemble, Jeannie van de Velde, Julie Edwardson, Deborah Kayser, Andrew Muscat-Clark, Tyrone Landau, Grant Smith, Sandro Gorli
The Oresteia, Scene 2: Memory Spills from the Split Skulls of Clytemnestra and AgamemnonLiza Lim, Elision Ensemble, Jeannie van de Velde, Julie Edwardson, Deborah Kayser, Andrew Muscat-Clark, Tyrone Landau, Grant Smith, Sandro Gorli
The Oresteia, Scene 3: Cassandra - The BanquetLiza Lim, Elision Ensemble, Jeannie van de Velde, Julie Edwardson, Deborah Kayser, Andrew Muscat-Clark, Tyrone Landau, Grant Smith, Sandro Gorli
The Oresteia, Scene 4: The FuriesLiza Lim, Elision Ensemble, Jeannie van de Velde, Julie Edwardson, Deborah Kayser, Andrew Muscat-Clark, Tyrone Landau, Grant Smith, Sandro Gorli
The Oresteia, Scene 5: Clytemnestra's GhostLiza Lim, Elision Ensemble, Jeannie van de Velde, Julie Edwardson, Deborah Kayser, Andrew Muscat-Clark, Tyrone Landau, Grant Smith, Sandro Gorli
The Oresteia, Scene 6: Apollo's Masque (The Missing "Satyr Play")Liza Lim, Elision Ensemble, Jeannie van de Velde, Julie Edwardson, Deborah Kayser, Andrew Muscat-Clark, Tyrone Landau, Grant Smith, Sandro Gorli
The Oresteia, Scene 7: Athena's TrumpetLiza Lim, Elision Ensemble, Jeannie van de Velde, Sandro Gorli
Yuè Lìng Jié: Chang-O Flies to the Moon (Live)Liza Lim, Elision Ensemble, Deborah Kayser, Simon Hewett
Mother Tongue: No. 1, Century, the Continuance (Live)Liza Lim, Elision Ensemble, Piia Komsi, Jean Deroyer
Mother Tongue: No. 2, Latitude of Gain (Live)Liza Lim, Elision Ensemble, Piia Komsi, Jean Deroyer
Mother Tongue: No. 3, Longitude of Loss (Live)Liza Lim, Elision Ensemble, Piia Komsi, Jean Deroyer
The Navigator, Prelude: Weaver of FictionsLiza Lim, Genevieve Lacey
The Navigator, Scene 1: The UnwindingLiza Lim, Elision Ensemble, Talise Trevigne, Philip Larson, Omar Ebrahim, Deborah Kayser, Manuel Nawri
The Navigator, Scene 2: SensoriumLiza Lim, Elision Ensemble, Andrew Watts, Talise Trevigne, Omar Ebrahim, Manuel Nawri
The Navigator, Scene 3: AnnihilationLiza Lim, Elision Ensemble, Andrew Watts, Philip Larson, Omar Ebrahim, Deborah Kayser, Manuel Nawri
The Navigator, Scene 4: False SailLiza Lim, Elision Ensemble, Andrew Watts, Talise Trevigne, Philip Larson, Omar Ebrahim, Deborah Kayser, Manuel Nawri
The Navigator, Scene 5: TransfigurationLiza Lim, Elision Ensemble, Andrew Watts, Talise Trevigne, Philip Larson, Omar Ebrahim, Deborah Kayser, Manuel Nawri
The Navigator, Scene 6: The BindingLiza Lim, Elision Ensemble, Andrew Watts, Talise Trevigne, Philip Larson, Omar Ebrahim, Deborah Kayser, Manuel Nawri
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