LE CIMETIERE MARIN by D. Zivkovic

Symbolism is an aesthetic of atmospheres, and this atmospheric quality also defines Djuro Zivkovic's Le Cimetière Marin for mezzo-soprano and ensemble, inspired by Paul Valéry's poem. The sea, ever-present and near to the voice of the poem’s speaker, contrasts with the stillness of the dead resting beneath the gravestones. Zivkovic suspends time, achieved through the slow, continuous glissandi, like long waves rolling across the surface of the sea. His improvisational approach to composition generates a constantly shifting spectrum of colors, creating a fluid and immersive sound world.