Like in drawings, a sound material not only exists in the moment but sometimes hints at the path it can be heading next. The direction is derived from very subtle traits of the sound—not only the texture, gestural aspect, degree of tension but also implied visuality and expectation generated from it. While working on my fixed media piece, Openings, I followed the invisible but tangible threads that the sound materials were organically engendering and chased the sonic sceneries that emerged afterward.

Openings (2022)

L’amour pur for vocalist and electronics
Commissioned as First Prize Winner of Sweetwater/SEAMUS Commission Award 

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Program Note

A pure, bold, dazzling connection of souls
At a heartbreakingly beautiful point in time and space. 

How truthful and courageous can you truly be?

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Studio recording
Performance and mixing by Liann J. Kang

L'amour pur (2024)

Program Note

I. Blue Air

The flickering image of bursting air
Intertwined with sounds around us
Sounds that bring out memories
Voices that call out to us
Nostalgia about a place that we have never been to


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released October 6, 2023

Performer: Dr. Jack Thorpe (saxophone)
Live electronics developer: Dr. Victor Zheng
Engineer: Graham Duncan

Recording Date and Location: May 19, 2023 at the University of Illinois Urbana- Champaign, Urbana, IL

Commissioned by Jack Thorpe under the auspices of the 2022 Presser Graduate Music Award

Images I. Blue Air

Program Note

II. Traces

Fog rising out of a swamp
Movements leaving lines behind
Tinging a space with dusky gradients

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released October 6, 2023

Performer: Dr. Jack Thorpe (saxophone)
Live electronics developer: Dr. Victor Zheng
Engineer: Graham Duncan

Recording Date and Location: May 19, 2023 at the University of Illinois Urbana- Champaign, Urbana, IL

Commissioned by Jack Thorpe under the auspices of the 2022 Presser Graduate Music Award

Images II. Traces

For amplified voice and orchestra, recording by Liann J. Kang, TMCO, conducted by James Ross 2025 Tanglewood Music Center

“Imagining a new way of interaction between the solo voice and orchestra, where the voice flows in and out of the orchestral textures, organically drawing melodic lines that constantly influence, and are influenced by, the texture and timbre of the orchestra: it seeks unity within individuality, and individuality within unity.” 
-Liann J. Kang-

Aqua (excerpt)

website: liannjkang.com
insta: https://www.instagram.com/liannjkang/

Liann J. Kang

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