Performed by Sydney Mariano (violin), Nicholas Bentz (violin), Celka Ojakangas (viola), and Madeline Sheard (cello).

"a handful of crystals" is about stars in the sky. I imagine that if I were to hold a handful of stars there would be bright flashes of light, but it would also be crunchy. These two ideas are juxtaposed with airy, delicate harmonics and a variety of crackly, crunchier sounds.

to outfly the night (expanded) - ii. a handful of crystals

Performed by Sydney Mariano (violin), Nicholas Bentz (violin), Celka Ojakangas (viola), and Madeline Sheard (cello).

"when shadows lengthen and multiply" refers to the idea of how shadows shift and change when you walk between two lamp posts. There are subtle, slow changes in texture over time in each part meant to represent shadows dividing and changing as the direction and distance from the light source changes.

to outfly the night (expanded) - i. when shadows lengthen and multiply

Performed by Maura Tuffy (soprano) and John Mietus (double bass).
Artwork created by Jacqueline Andrews.
Text extracted from "When you are old" by William Butler Yeats (1865-1939).

"When you are old" is what I imagine old age to be like. Slow, peaceful, and somewhat fragile. The fragmented text mirrors the idea of fading memories.

"And I Shall be" commissioned by soprano Maura Tuffy, is a musing about the cycle of life. It is abstractly based on themes of age and Asian American identity.

And I Shall Be: 5. When you are old

Performed by Maura Tuffy (soprano) and John Mietus (double bass).
Artwork created by Jacqueline Andrews.
Text from "Learning to love America" by Shirley Geok-Lin Lim (1944-), with permission granted by author for use. 

"Learning to love America" speaks to my struggle to find balance in my identity as an Asian American. The first time I read this poem, the text resonated with me and I fell in love with the rhythmic repetition of the word "because." There's an undercurrent of urgency and possessiveness that drives the melodic flourishes. 

"And I Shall be" commissioned by soprano Maura Tuffy, is a musing about the cycle of life. It is abstractly based on themes of age and Asian American identity.

And I Shall Be: 4. Learning to love America

Performed by Maura Tuffy (soprano) and John Mietus (double bass).
Artwork created by Jacqueline Andrews.
Text from "Barter" by Sara Teasdale (1884-1933).

"Barter" serves as an interlude in this song cycle, with a back-and-forth momentum in the bass and a soaring vocal melody.

"And I Shall be" commissioned by soprano Maura Tuffy, is a musing about the cycle of life. It is abstractly based on themes of age and Asian American identity.

And I Shall Be: 3. Barter

Performed by Maura Tuffy (soprano) and John Mietus (double bass).
Artwork created by Jacqueline Andrews.
Text by 李白(701-762), translation reinterpreted by Aileen Chao.

"Thoughts on a Still Night" is a famous quatrain poem that I grew up reciting in Chinese school. It's about a longing for home. But where is home? What does home mean? Is it the country my parents and my ancestors are from or the country I grew up in?

"And I Shall be" commissioned by soprano Maura Tuffy, is a musing about the cycle of life. It is abstractly based on themes of age and Asian American identity.

And I Shall Be: 2. Thoughts On A Still Night

Performed by Maura Tuffy (soprano) and John Mietus (double bass).
Artwork created by Jacqueline Andrews.
Text by Aileen Chao.

"When you are a child" reflects back on my own carefree childhood and themes from that I believe to be common across the board. As a child I was much more daring, because it never occurred to me that I could fail. As I've grown up, I've become more cautious and aware that actions have consequences.

"And I Shall be" commissioned by soprano Maura Tuffy, is a musing about the cycle of life. It is abstractly based on themes of age and Asian American identity.

And I Shall Be: 1. When you are a child

Performed by India Anderson.

"A lament" is an exaggeration of the idea or feeling when a minor problem occurs and you blow it out of proportion. This movement moves between mournful, sorrowful, and a little bit whiny, with heaving sighs.

"Two Studies for Solo Tuba" is a pair of miniatures about little moments in life.

Two Studies for Solo Tuba - II. A lament

Performed by India Anderson.

Inspired by a story I heard about someone punching an elephant, "A lapse in judgement" is about mustering up the courage to do something incredibly stupid. There is an back and forth between a more animated idea as if a person is gearing up to do the thing, and then second guessing that decision, portrayed by thoughtful hums and skeptical, questioning quarter notes. 

"Two Studies for Solo Tuba" is a pair of miniatures about little moments in life.

Two Studies for Solo Tuba - I. A lapse in judgement

For electronics and live flute, performed by Sarah Meidel

Origin Story follows a live flute on a journey discovering new sounds, techniques, and effects.

Origin Story

Composer based in Los Angeles

Contact me at aileenchaomusic@gmail.com