Karawane is an energetic, highly rhythmic piece for SATB choir. The text was written by German author and poet Hugo Ball (1886 – 1927) who was one of the leading Dada artists of the 20th century. As Ball’s recitation of Karawane was not recorded, it leaves an open interpretation for pronunciation, articulation and rhythm of each word. In this composition, I express my interpretation for and reaction to this poem and highlight the fascinating sounds in this intriguing poem. 

Text
jolifanto bambla o falli bambla
grossiga m’pfa habla horem
egiga goramen
higo bloiko russula huju
hollaka hollala
anlogo bung
blago bung 
blago bung
bosso fataka
ü üü ü
schampa wulla wussa olobo
hej tatta gorem
eschige zunbada
wulubu ssubudu uluwu ssubudu
tumba ba- umf
kusagauma
ba - umf                                                   
- Karawane (1916) by Hugo Ball 

Recorded by the BBC Singers in a workshop in November 2015

Karawane for SATB chorus

A song set in a post-apocalyptic world. First performed by Lucy Vallis (mezzo-soprano) and Lixian Chew (soprano sheng) on 25th April 2016 at RNCM’s Carol Nash Recital Room.

I knew this country, its contours, walked its path from shore to shore. I knew the fuse within the bud, yellow dawns, dusky twilights,
and stars
revelled in all their glorious light. Between the wheat and restless sea, I wandered arrogant and free.

The world turns differently now, spins faster. Is it the nature of things to fall apart?

Cities sucking bodies and churning out bones. 

The profit and the loss.

Down where tower blocks bloom, trees are angels with plastic wings.

And through pavement cracks, weeds mount their attack.
Slowly long green ivy fingers will break this world apart like
cracking an egg, and I ooze out too.

I dream of the coming jungle where I lose myself,
or perhaps the sea - the rising sea that gleams between the gaps
in the city's grinning mouth.

Days float - driftwood. I can't hold on to them.

And the dead, I know the dead speak. But there is no one left to listen.

Text by Bridget Taylor (2016)

I Knew This Country, for mezzo soprano and sheng (Chinese mouth organ)

Wrote this for Esplanade (Singapore) and their kid's program mascot named Pip (pictured). The instruments used were inspired by the 4 major races of Singapore

Pip's Theme Song

闹 (pronounced nào) is one of those Chinese characters which does not have a direct translation in English. It suggests movement, something hectic and cacophonous and rowdy. 

The piece is a virtuosic work that treats the group as a meta-instrument. Due to the homogeneous nature of the euphonium's sound, I was challenged to create a sound with greater edge and diversity. The result is a rambunctious polyphony of dynamic gestures and colours that hopes to stir listeners. 

First performed by Compass Euphonium Quartet at ‘Brass Spectacular’, in St John’s Smith Square, London on 18th February 2017.

闹 (Bustle)

Written as a short exercise for auxiliary Chinese percussion - 2 Chinese woodblocks, 1 xiao bo, 1 opera gong. Performed by Ngoh Kheng Seng, 12th July 2017, Old St. Jonh's Hall, Nelson, New Zealand.

Flightless Kiwi Dance

Poignant Dreams (demo)

Clumsy Traffic Police (demo)

Brass Sextet Jingle (demo)

Open Ocean (demo)

Cat VS Mouse (demo)

Lyrics by Daniel Lim
Music by Daniel Lim and Michael Lim
Sung by Michael Lim and Jolene Quek
Recorded by Michael Lim

I'll Be Coming Home To You

Music and lyrics by Daniel Lim
Sung by Kristen Lau
Recorded by Michael Lim


A time before, not long ago, we faced tides of uncertainty.
But together, we held on as one community.
Believing in each other, embracing our diversity
Can it be what makes you and me

Who we are – a nation strong and free.
United we stand against all odds we will build our destiny.
Who we are – a light for the world to see.
That's our identity, that's who we are.

Today as Singaporeans rejoicing in this jubilee – 
the harvest of hardship, tears and sweat and working in harmony.
This passion and resilience, courage and tenacity,
can it be what makes you and me

Who we are – a nation strong and free.
United we stand against all odds we will build our destiny.
Who we are – a light for the world to see.
That's our identity, that's who we are.

The future beckons a brave generation striving to reach new aspirations.
And there will be endless possibilities

'Cause of  
Who we are – a nation strong and free.
United we stand against all odds we will build our destiny.
Who we are – a light for the world to see.
That's our identity, that's who we are

Who we are – a nation strong and free.
United we stand against all odds we will build our destiny.
Who we are – Singaporeans proud to be.
That's our identity, that's who we are
That’s who we are.

Who We Are

Shroud, written for an eclectic mixture of Western, Chinese and Maori instruments, is a piece structured upon the timbral natures of the unique instruments involved in this ensemble. It seeks to mask, conceal, blur-the-lines between conventional and unconventional palettes combined together. Each new sound is born out of a gradual transformation of instrumental qualities, thus creating a progressive narrative within the work’s structure.

Shroud for mixed ensemble

daniellimmusic.com
daniellim.music@gmail.com

Daniel Lim

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