Performed by Collegium Novum Zürich and Experimentalstudio des SWR
Recorded live at Swiss-Radio, Zurich on March 20th, 2013

encode was commissioned by Collegium Novum Zürich

encode (2012/13) for ensemble and live-electronics

Touch (2024)
for flute, saxophone, violin, double bass, piano and  percussion

Ensemble Suono Giallo
2024.7
Italy, Sansepolcro

Touch (2024)-Ensemble Suono Giallo

Shuāng Miàn Xiù [Two-faced tapestry]: for Orchestra
Orchestra: Suzhou Symphony Orchestra
Conductor: Eric Qi-Yuan Zhu

The delicate art form of traditional Chinese embroidery sparked the creation of Shuāng miàn xiù [Mandarin for Two-faced Tapestry] for orchestra (2018). The composition specifically focuses on portraying the complex technique of splitting, stitching and weaving two layers of silk forming an image on either side; a technique synonymous with embroidery from Suzhou in China. This practice of producing different results within the same frame forms the basis of the overall musical texture. Shuāng miàn xiù opens with a series of fleeting gestures, treating the orchestral canvas as a mirror. The harmonic environment for the entire work is similarly structured: utilising inverted diadic harmony and coloured with interlocking dissonance. Rhythmically, Shuāng miàn xiù explores the intrinsic mirroring of triple and quintuple time. After exposing the opening material, the work further develops all these musical elements; weaving a thin, fine background texture. This is suddenly contrasted by a calm, celestial middle section, suggesting the purity and lightness of weaving finely split silk. This grows to a climax with rapid figurations and articulations interlaced with a slow, sliding harmonic progression. Shuāng miàn xiù closes as it opens; a complete mirror of the entire aforementioned structure and harmony is presented, though the colour of the texture now presents a different, elated atmosphere. A final slither of silk hints at the opening fleeting gestures from which the piece was born.

This work was named the joint winner of the 2018 Jinji Lake Composition Competition, held in the People's Republic of China.

Artwork: LeOui Rendsburg

Touch (2024)-Ensemble Suono Giallo

Lanqing Ding

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