Wanderlost (Begin Again), for cello and electronics.
Performance by Martin Jaggi and Chua Zi Tao
The piece sets out to craft an interaction between two people --- one on the cello and one on electronics --- where the resulting sonic outcome is produced through series of interrelated decisions made by each person. These are guided by rules set out through the 2 types of arrows as well as zones demarcated. The arrows indicate paths that can be taken, ones that are unidirectional, bidirectional or U-turns.
Demarcations of zones indicate effects to be activated, morphing the sounds of the cello. Fragments of sounds were organised with mainly timbre and melodic contour in mind, creating successive sonic events that are at times, similar to one another, providing continuity, while at times, providing sudden, large contrasts. Once in a while, these paths lead to a dead end.
At any time, both parties can choose to "restart", returning to either boxed fragment located in the middle and taking a different path. The result is a map with fixed starting points, a multitude of paths, with no end destination in mind --- where one is allowed to wander, to possibly get lost, and to begin again. Ultimately, I hope to create a music-making experience that places listening at the forefront of interactions between people.
Also, I miss travelling.
Constellation Configurations, for string quartet
Performance by Mivos Quartet
[Constellations]
noun. a group of associated or similar people or things
"configuring constellations, balancing on tightropes between undiscovered stars, watching them fade away."
Star gazing --- when one attempts to connect the dots to form constellations. Sometimes one gazes at individual stars or clusters, paying attention to details one might normally miss, sometimes in relation to one another, and sometimes at the whole constellation itself.
At the centre of this piece are micro phrases built by 3 elements: an impulse, a sustain, and a decay of sound. Each of these elements start simply; static with minimal movement, gradually coming alive through varying levels of activity via timbral changes and variations. Zooming out, one experiences an organic morphing of these materials, forming sections reminiscent of one another.