This piece was written for Unheard-Of Ensemble.

"Why Woman?" was inspired by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's book, "We should all be feminists". Below is a quotation from her book. 

“I was once talking about gender and a man said to me, ‘Why does it have to be you as a woman? Why not you as a human being?’ This type of question is a way of silencing a person’s specific experiences. Of course I am a human being, but there are particular things that happen to me in the world because I am a woman. This same man, by the way, would often talk about his experience as a black man. (To which I should probably have responded, ‘Why not your experiences as a man or as a human being? Why a black man?’)”

Why Woman?

Comissioned by the Sydney Conservatorium Clarinet Ensemble
The first performance was given by the Sydney Conservatorium Clarinet Ensemble directed by Peter Smith on June 2nd, 2021

Mvt titles:
I. Curiosity II. Sleep III. Grooming IV. Food

Program notes:
The title 'Cunicular' is originated from Latin which means 'rabbit-like' or 'characteristics of a rabbit'. This work is dedicated to my pet rabbit Bobo and is divided into four short movements corresponding to four characterristcs of Bobo: 'Curiosity' is capture by the elastic semiquavers and ever changing metres; 'Sleep' is full of both static and gradually moving 'dream-like' harmonies; 'Grooming' is based around a repeating rhythmic pattern to potray the twisting of the body; 'Food' utilises a drum kit to depict the rabbit's sheer excitement over a delicious treat.

Cunicular - for Clarinet Octet and drum kit (2021)

Daniel Cui

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