sur les rives de

for flute, clarinet, violn, cello, piano and percussions__8'__2011

Finalist at the 2012 International Composition Competition Città di Udine – Taukay Edizioni Musicali (Italy)

PROGRAM NOTE

Varanasi, ancient city of India, is built entirely on the left bank of the Ganges. The other bank is completely deserted. A boat ride on the sacred river reveals the stark contrast between one bank, historical, civilized and complex; and the other, natural, sparse and raw.

Inspired by this image, the piece travels from one bank to another; from 'cultural' melodic material to purely 'organic' material, represented by the pebbles.

Sur les rives de was composed in 2011 for Aventa's IgNITE! Composer Worskhop in Victoria (BC) then revised in 2012 for Ensemble Paramirabo.

PERFORMANCES

March 20, 2015 EDMONTON (Canada) Now Hear This - New Music Edmonton / Holy Trinity Anglican Church
Violet Collective

May 5, 2012 MONTRÉAL (Canada) Ensemble Paramirabo Concert / Chapelle historique du Bon-Pasteur
Ensemble Paramirabo

April 5, 2012 MONTRÉAL (Canada) Échos de Montréal / Café l'Artère
Ensemble Paramirabo

September 11, 2011 VICTORIA (Canada) IgNITE Composer Workshop / Phillip T Young Recital Hall (University of Victoria, MacLaurin Building)
Aventa, conducted by Bill Linwood

REVIEWS

Gabriel Dharmoo's sur les rives de [was one of] the most suggestive works on the program by far. [...] Evocative of eons past, Dharmoo's music was incredibly original. Powered by an almost incessant rhythmic backdrop, vague mumblings from a seemingly ancient world were punctuated by the use of stones as percussion instruments, at first only by the pianist, but finally by all the players in the ensemble, implying a world devoid of humanity and civilization.
Andrew Crust – An Engaging End to Ensemble Paramirabo's First Season, Blogue Bachtrack.com –May 9, 2012