Duo for Violin and Cello
Duration:
10’
Performance Recording:
Program Notes:
Two Paintings was inspired by paintings of Szelit Cheung, an artist based in Melbourne and Hong Kong whose work explores the powerful contrasts between darkness and light, as well as use of space to evoke psychological responses. These pieces are specifically based on two of his artworks, "Hidden Space," and "Hikari." For me, both of these works evoke the powerful emotions of curiosity, foreboding, and fear of the unknown surrounding death. The ìrst piece, "Hidden Space," describes a hidden doorway and staircase leading up around a corner, with a light shining from a source just out of view. This represents curiosity, a liminal pull towards the unknown - much like standing on the edge of oblivion, courting the somber acceptance of routine and terminal illness, like a clock counting down to the end of life. The second painting, "Hikari," ("light") is set in a square, claustrophobic dark tunnel, with a brilliant white wall at the end of it obscuring all that lies beyond. The third section, "Coda," integrates materials from the first two paintings and represents the process of death, loss, and the final passing into the afterlife.
Szelit Cheung’s website can be found here.
Performance Notes:
This works includes several extended performance techniques, including microtonal fingerings, natural harmonics at high partials, and aleatoric box scoring meant to allow flexibility and guided improvisation on the part of the performers. See the performance notes on the second page of the score document for more details.
Downloadable file contains score and parts. Note: Full score is on Tabloid-size paper, oriented to landscape, while the parts are on Letter-size. If you are interested in a physical score, contact me directly at stjamesmusic19@gmail.com and I will put one together for additional cost.
Duo for Violin and Cello
Duration:
10’
Performance Recording:
Program Notes:
Two Paintings was inspired by paintings of Szelit Cheung, an artist based in Melbourne and Hong Kong whose work explores the powerful contrasts between darkness and light, as well as use of space to evoke psychological responses. These pieces are specifically based on two of his artworks, "Hidden Space," and "Hikari." For me, both of these works evoke the powerful emotions of curiosity, foreboding, and fear of the unknown surrounding death. The ìrst piece, "Hidden Space," describes a hidden doorway and staircase leading up around a corner, with a light shining from a source just out of view. This represents curiosity, a liminal pull towards the unknown - much like standing on the edge of oblivion, courting the somber acceptance of routine and terminal illness, like a clock counting down to the end of life. The second painting, "Hikari," ("light") is set in a square, claustrophobic dark tunnel, with a brilliant white wall at the end of it obscuring all that lies beyond. The third section, "Coda," integrates materials from the first two paintings and represents the process of death, loss, and the final passing into the afterlife.
Szelit Cheung’s website can be found here.
Performance Notes:
This works includes several extended performance techniques, including microtonal fingerings, natural harmonics at high partials, and aleatoric box scoring meant to allow flexibility and guided improvisation on the part of the performers. See the performance notes on the second page of the score document for more details.
Downloadable file contains score and parts. Note: Full score is on Tabloid-size paper, oriented to landscape, while the parts are on Letter-size. If you are interested in a physical score, contact me directly at stjamesmusic19@gmail.com and I will put one together for additional cost.
