Morton Feldman - King of Denmark / Jonathan Hepfer, percussion

This an audio realization of a pythagorean spiral - a series of justly tuned perfect fifths stacked over 7 octaves so that when 'return' to the original pitch, it is 24 cents high, effectively creating a microtonal transposition.

The structure of the piece becomes with a very low C and adds 5ths  12 times. The lower notes are then released in sequence until we hear only the new C, seven octaves higher.

Living Meditation 6 - Pythagorean Spiral

Saunder Choi: Oracion por L.A. Lluvia
poetry by Michael Yarsky
performed by the LA Choral Lab (Michael Alfera, artistic director & conductor)

When I was commissioned by the LA Choral Lab to write a piece for our Spring 2016 concert, I immediately thought of two major factors that would eventually shape the work. First,  it must be current and relevant (especially to Angelenos, as it will be sung by Angelenos). This led me to ask my partner Michael Yarsky to write text about the drought in California. Secondly, it must explore different vocal styles and timbral possibilities that the LA Choral Lab singers are capable of, as the group is composed of versatile singers who comfortably live in a variety of vocal styles. The result was a 12 minute prayer for rain, that takes us on a journey of acrid lands, rain dances, and finally a shower of snow waters. 

Oracion por L.A. Lluvia
(Yarsky)

(El Niño, niño, Angeleno 
Ángel del agua, El Niño 
Agua, ángel, Áng-el-niño 
Ángel, niño, Angeleno  
Agua, agua, agua, El Niño 
Agua por los Ángeles, El Niño 

Niño, agua, vino, Angeleno 
Niño, agua, vino, Angeleno
Niño, agua, vino, Angeleno 
Niño, agua, vino, Angeleno)

Heed our prayer
For the dessicated mothervine
The grapes we harvest are raisins now.
Heal the scorch of wilted orchard 
Scatter the dust that parched the palms  
Let us walk by the way of the vineyards. 

Acrid hands we raise to squeeze
the wine out of the clouds
Let us be washed with snow waters
So our hands shall shine ever so



Saunder Choi: Oracion Por L.A. Lluvia- LA Choral Lab

For Jacksonville Dance theater, Rebecca Levy - Director

Peninsula (Sample)

Performed by the New Millennium Brass Ensemble. Trumpet solo by Ethan Marks.

rwj 2009

During the week of January 22 I had my installation ˈpragməˌtizəm up in the WaveCave at CalArts.  ˈpragməˌtizəm is a graphic score that explores additive functionality. Where functional things can be more than functional. Where functionality could be additive. Where something as practical as a chair and a lamp can have an unpractical layer. This piece was inspired by the desire to combine woodworking and music composition. Where composition is intertwined with self sufficiency and sustainability. The score is made from poplar scraps.

Thank you to Alex Kent (guitar), Cody Putman (bassoon), Marcos Mena (2nd guitar), Matthew Perez (composition), and Max Gude (bowed electric bass) for interpreting the score. Also thank you to Jorge for helping me completing my furniture designs, cuz dang.. wood working is difficult.

ˈpragməˌtizəm (installation audio)

A piece for vocal ensemble of at least 6 people that I composed for the Contemporary Vocal Ensemble at CalArts. This is a demo of what one performance of this should sound like, it can vary depending on the conductor (the duration, that is).

This was inspired by the minimalism of Steve Reich and others along with the post-minimalist vocal techniques of the great Meredith Monk. Truly, her work inspired this in great part (including the score!).

Illustration by Lorenzo Crump (the love of my life)

Vocal Patterns - 6 part vocal ensemble (2018)

/something emerges from thin air, collects, disperses into space/

Conducted by Gregory Ristow, written for and performed by the Oberlin College Choir
Soloists: Risa Beddie, Clara Dahmer, Isabel Breakey, Mae Harrell, Cora Lopez, Matthew Santos

Performed October 17, 2019

Living Meditation 6 - Pythagorean Spiral

Fahad Siadat

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