Transpiring
Composed for Latitude 49
Score available here


Transpiring is inspired by the damp, dense evergreen forests of eastern British Columbia and western Alberta. It was written for and premiered by Canadian-American chamber ensemble Latitude 49, some of whom come from that region. The ensemble has toured the piece to several states, and recently gave its Canadian premiere at the Sound Atlas Festival in Calgary.


       RAIN-MAKING by Basma Kavanagh

       Rain making rain
       making rivers idle into quiet inlets,
       making mists rise above great tides,
       making dense forests soar from thin soil,
       making shade, making coolness, making breezes
       making moisture seep from a million transpiring green things;
       making humidity, making water coalesce and drip down leaves,
       making winds that shake free the drops,
       making snags that reach the sky
       and pierce the ready clouds;
       rain making rain,
       making rain.