Elizabeth Knudson is a nationally award-winning Vancouver-based composer, and an Associate of the Canadian Music Centre. Her works have been performed in over a dozen countries around the world. She enjoys composing for orchestra, various chamber ensembles, choir and voice, and also working collaboratively with dance, film, and theatre. Outside of composing, she is a freelance cellist and music instructor. For the past several years, she has also been studying the sitar, and learning about Indian classical music.
Tarasque《獅蠍獸》(2023)
Commissioned by the Sound of Dragon Ensemble, with funding from the BC Arts Council
Instrumentation: Dizi, Flute, Violin, Erhu, Guitar, Ruan, Zheng, Cello, Percussion
Tarasque was named after a fierce mythical water-dragon from medieval southern France. This reptilian creature breathed fire, burning houses and terrifying villagers, until it was finally tamed by Saint Martha, who supposedly quenched its fire with holy water. This piece is imagining the dragon waking up again, curious and a bit confused at first, but gentler now, after having been pacified. Tarasque is a piece about exploring new beginnings and the idea of rebirth, and of finding balance— awaking to a new day, and a fresh start.
傳說中獅蠍獸是中世紀時期法國南部一種半獅半蠍的動物，生活在水中，牠的鼻息能噴火。造成許多災害後，牠的火焰終於被聖者瑪莎用聖水澆熄。在作曲家的想像中，奇異的獅蠍獸在現代重生，探索新生的意義。
short version:
The composer imaged the rebirth of Tarasque, a fierce mythical water-dragon from medieval southern France. It breathed fire, burning houses and terrifying villagers, until Saint Martha finally quenched its fire with holy water. This piece is about new beginnings from Tarasque’s rebirth.