Dadirri is the overall name of a series of miniatures that were produced from the collaborative confinements of the coronavirus lockdown. The term Dadirri comes from aboriginal culture, it is the process of deep and respectful listening to build community and connect with nature. The concept of this project is to reflect on the situation and appreciate our surroundings through music. .

Isomallach (isolated, recorded by Lois Kirk)

Turadh (sun streaming through the clouds, recorded by Hannah Higson)

Seclouth (for the key workers, recorded by Ines Mayhew-Begg)

Deadlocked (trapped in routine, recorded by Faidon Nalbantis)

Habromania (deceptive happiness, recorded by Seungyeon Lee)

Clanjamfrie (chaos, recorded by Michael O'Rourke)

Cianalas (longing, recorded by Adam Lee)

Propaganda (the media's power)

"Dùchthas" was composed, and recorded by Columbian-American soprano Stephanie Lamprea. The piece is set in Scottish Gaelic, and uses graphic notation and chant-like vocalises to manifest unity between land, creatures, nature and culture.
The recording uses electronics, and to experience the full effect of this it is encouraged to listen using headphones.

Dùthchas

In the early stages of composing “Imagine”, I was hesitant to incorporate text. Something that I love about music is that even though what ever I create may be drawn from a distinct inspiration, the audience and performers are welcome to interpret the sounds in their own capacity. This is why the text used throughout the piece is very limited, and sometimes indistinct.

The little text that is used, other than the title, is taken from “Music” by poet Amy Lowell who is most famous from the Imagist movement. This is described as poetry with very clear and concise use of language and imagery, and “a succession of creative moments” which I feel is very fitting to this piece.

The piece goes through different phases, taking advantage of the instruments as both individuals and as an ensemble, particularly through an exploration of motion versus stasis. I encourage you to let your mind wander through the musical realm and see what you can imagine.

Imagine (2023)

Time (2018)

Conflict (2017)

This piece is made up from three parts inspired by an old Scottish lullaby; An Coineachan (The Highland Fairy Lullaby). This tells a story of Celtic folk lore, where an inconsolable woman searches for her baby, whom was stolen by the fairies while she was distracted picking blaeberries. The composition explores the original melody of the lullaby combined with the cheeky attitude of the fairies and the distress of the mother.

Erin Thomson

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