Symphony of the Hawai‘i Forests: Reflections on Ka Wai Ke Kumu Ola (2023) Full orchestraA Glimpse of a Reflection (2013)
for solo guzheng
duration: 8 minutes
Listen:
Performers: Yi-Chieh Lai, guzheng
Score: PDF
Perusal/Purchase: contact me
Program Notes
The source of inspiration for this piece came when, out of curiosity, I decided to listen to a recording of Yi-Chieh’s playing in reverse (think Revolution 9 by the Beatles). Upon hearing a vastly different sound world that an electronically manipulated guzheng created, I sought to embrace both elements equally by combining the acoustic with the artificial. The composition attempts to create the impression that a guzheng is capable of producing sounds that would normally be physically impossible, such as crescendos on a single attack of a note, long sustains, or the layering of numerous complex rhythms. These new resources of sound complement the traditional acoustic sonorities, resulting in a blend of the ancient with the modern. The sounds being heard through the speakers are all pre-recorded.