CHAMBER MUSIC

❖ Program Note

Unwavering Light is a very dear work to me. The word “wavering” gives a sense of uncertainty, irresoluteness, and unsteadiness.  I wrote this work during the onset of the pandemic of 2020. The whole world seemed to be in a dark place. Undoubtedly, we are still facing this unexpected and unimagined crisis at this very moment.  However, life must continue and will continue. We will adapt to the darkness through hope. The absence of light is only temporary. With hope and faith, we will recover and encounter the unwavering light very soon, moving forward with a new, brighter world. 

❖ Duration: 5 minutes

00:00 Movement I

06:14 Movement II

08:28 Movement III

❖ Program Note

When you see for the first time the title, The Desires, for solo viola and string nonet, you may be wondering what are these desires? What perspective should one take? This title is intentionally subjective. What desires do you have in your life? Money? Power? Happiness? Maybe you desire peace and a break from daily routines. In the end, the only way to find the true answer is by participating in life. 

Living in the United States has helped me look at my country, Taiwan, differently. I now have a strong desire to rediscover my heritage. With this new desire, little by little I am finding the answers to my role as a composer and more importantly a human being.

❖ Duration: 19 minutes

❖ for solo viola and two string quartets with double bass

❖ This work is also scored for solo viola and string orchestra/chamber orchestra. Click here.

❖ Program Note

The world of art music has long been divided into two camps. On one side is the belief that music is meant to express and revel in our innermost human emotions.  On the other, that music must be appreciated for itself and it only, detached from the bonds of our emotions and human frailties. In the never ending quest of expression and self-discovery often times we composers take journeys through both camps. Song of the Wanderer in its unfolding reflects one such journey. Here the wanderer, like a falling seed carried far from its home by the westward wind, looks for a place to land and take root. The destination…unknown, but the journey, oh so rewarding. 

❖ Duration: 10 minutes

❖ This work is also scored for solo clarinet and orchestra. Click here.

❖ Program Note

How long will we live in this leaf-strewn place, thinking we belong to the sky?

  -Susan Stewart

The Looming Sky is a composition in two connected movements for violin, viola, cello and piano. After reading Susan Stewart’s Poem from Hölderlin, images of shadowy, dim and unclear scenes of nature became pictured in my mind. This imagery reminded me of a past trip to the Western United States where during my stay I was surrounded by nature...trees, flowers, weeds, rocks and unknown insects. 

When entering the enormity of this world of wild living things, a single human being seems very small. I couldn’t help but pay tremendous attention to the beings around me: the sound of birds chirping in the bushes, the distant winds blowing across open fields, and the smell of the decaying grass and insects from weeks ago. These primitive surroundings led me to be in the state of mind full of uncertainty. I wondered how many different things are happening simultaneously at this moment in the world, both near and far? What would become of them as they develop in the next moment?

In this work, The Looming Sky, I use the strings and piano to reflect this awe and wonderment through musical means. Hopefully, we all can reflect and find similar experiences in our own unique and unpredictable adventures. 

❖ Duration: 7 minutes

❖ Program Note

「開始前的片刻…」是寫給打擊樂重奏加上電子人聲音樂，結構上可分成四個連續不間斷的樂章， 總長約11分鐘。本曲以鍵盤打擊樂器中的鐵琴和木琴為音色主軸，鋼琴和大鼓在低音音域上做強化， 同時在特定片段，加上電子人聲音樂，透過此種聲音媒介，在擊樂重奏的世界裡，體驗不同的音樂感受。

此曲「開始前的片刻…」，主要闡述的主題概念是：一段連續性的旅程，一種不間斷的、充滿各樣事件的生命旅程。而這樣的旅程，也是我們所有人類共同擁有的經驗！在每個人的人生劇本裡，充滿的各式各樣的故事，我們都是這些故事裡的一個角色，而每個事件的產生，都不是來自單一面向的，而是來自於多方的面向，逐漸的匯聚成為一個整體的事件。

在每個事件發生的前一刻，我們總是引領翹盼，處在一種期待又不定、緊繃又興奮的未知狀況，等待著下一刻發生的“已知”。在這個非常時刻當中，我們會經歷一段孤獨存在的內在認知過程，如同自白一般的獨角戲，這場戲同時也伴隨著過去的多重記憶，在“過去”與“當下”的兩種衝擊之下，產生出另一種樣貌的領悟和體認。這首曲子「開始前的片刻…」，正是希望透過打擊樂重奏和電子人聲音樂，表達出你我共有的生命歷程。

❖ Duration: 12 minutes

00:00 I. Becoming

03:16 II.Scattering Moment

07:26 III. Shiver

❖ Program Note

Rhapsody of Seasons, for string quartet in its development, reflects my perception of nature. When I hear, smell, taste, see and touch the wonders of this world, I cannot help but marvel at the incredible gift of life. It is especially true when seasons change. During these times, I find myself very anxious and often wonder what twists and turns nature has in store.

❖ Duration: 13 minutes

❖ Program Note

In the summer of 2007, when I went back to my home country Taiwan, I saw a program on television that documented a native Taiwanese New Years celebration. These native people live in the valleys and mountains of Taiwan with their own customs and traditions that have been passed down through generations.  I found this very inspiring and was thankful that my country is working to keep these traditions alive. 

During that time, the A.I.R. Percussion Quartet approached me for a new work. While researching and composing, I became very fascinated with the incredible sound that percussion instruments can make and amazed at the depth and beauty of these instruments. The many percussion instruments covering the whole spectrum of sound proved to be a great stimulus. 

With this in mind, my Percussion Quartet is dedicated to the wonderful musicians of the A.I.R. Percussion Quartet and the native peoples of Taiwan.

❖ Duration: 12 minutes

❖ Duration: 5 minutes

❖ Duration: 4 minutes