Symphony of the Hawai‘i Forests: Reflections on Ka Wai Ke Kumu Ola (2023) Full orchestraAutomata (2008)
for solo piano
duration: 5:30 minutes
Listen:
Performers: Chi-Chen Wu
Score Excerpt: PDF
Perusal/Purchase: contact me
Program Notes
Automata, for solo piano, is my first attempt at composing in a minimalist style, using short repeated phrases to propel the piece forward. My previous attempts at writing for solo piano has always caused me to second-guess myself to the point of paralysis, so I found it liberating to move away from my normal compositional process with this particular piece. The opening lilting rhythmic motive with the emphasis off the beat comes from my failure as a jazz pianist to learn how to swing. For this piece (and for this piece alone!), I have embraced my lack of talent and used it as an obsessive motive. I have kept the repetitions in this piece relatively short and irregular, and through constant juxtaposition of a few distinctive ideas, it is my hope that this piece is somewhat of an oxymoron: an unpredictable minimalist piece.