Quartet Works
Unraveling (2023)
for String Quartet
Performed by The Rhythm Method
Program Note:Unraveling is a string quartet that I worked on for seven months. The working process of this piece began with a viola solo, which then developed into a violin and viola duo, a string trio, and finally, the quartet. As I added layers of instruments, the music evolved with extended techniques, creative sounds, and interesting musical materials. The title of the piece presents the two types of unraveling. The first type refers to the way I composed the piece. Initially, I had planned and designed the music within a large frame/form, but gradually let go of that plan and focused on the delicate details of elements that emerged as I explored various sounds and textures across four layers of instruments. The second type of unraveling is within the musical flow itself. The cryptic, condensed, complex, and tense sounds gradually released to organic, resolved textures and the original sound of the strings.
Heung(흥) (2023)
for Saxophone Quartet
Performed by Viridian Saxophone Quartet
Program Note: Heung(흥) is a Saxophone quartet. It’s a Korean word that means “fun and excitement” in English. While listening to this piece for a few minutes, I hope everyone can have a fun moment and be excited by the rhythms, with their head nodding along. As I worked on Heung(흥), I also had fun and worked with the concept of heung/excitement, so I wanted to share this feeling with you. In this piece, I partly used traditional Korean rhythms such as Jajinmori Jangdan and Hwimori Jangdan. Jajinmori contains active and enchanting feelings in music. The music smoothly transitions into Hwimori. Hwimori is the fastest Jangdan(rhythm) in traditional Korean folk music, which gives us a different kind of heung, unlike Jajinmori. Additionally, I quoted some Korean folk music melody lines as sprinkles to blend a bit of Korean style with the timbre of the saxophone.
Nevermind the Noise Concert @ Provincetown Playhouse in NYC, NY
In their shoes (2019)
for Flute, Viola, Contrabass and Percussion
Program Note: In Their Shoes originated from curiosity about how people with visual impairments perceive and imagine the world. The piece is divided into three parts.
Part 1. ME.SIE. is derived from the English word "ME; me" and the German word "SIE; them," which are represented phonetically as "Mi" and "Si" in the music. The piece musically expresses the transition from a world centered around the ME (me) perspective to the SIE (them) perspective.
Part 2. Unsettled was composed using ambiguous notes and various contemporary techniques to depict how people with visual impairments try to adapt to a rapidly changing society.
Part 3. In one's own way conveys the idea that, although ME and SIE perceive the world differently, they are ultimately living in the same world. The piece expresses this message musically.
@ KHU Recital Concert hall in Seoul, KOR
More works
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For Mezzo soprano, Flute, Clarinet B♭ and Violoncello
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For String Quartet