Work
Drunk Light Dance (Han-Yin Method)
for piano trio
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About
New Zealand is a country full of poetic charm, where clouds resemble poetry, lakes resemble poetry, and the fluttering birds flying overhead seems can also compose poetries. Drunk Light Dance is composed based on the poem provided by NZ Trio: Trip the Light Fantastic (John Milton). Sometimes, one cannot expect to understand and comprehend everything thoroughly. This poem has me pondering endlessly, yet I could not grasp its meaning. I typically decide to stop right there when faced with this kind of incomprehensible matter, and as a rule of thumb, continuing to dwell on them will most likely destroy that beauty.
On the plane flying to New Zealand at the beginning of 2023, accompanied by a drink, I kept repeating this poem and pondering it. In my limited understanding and speculation, three Chinese characters gradually emerged in my mind: "醉" (Zuì), "光" (Guāng ), and "舞" (Wǔ). I seemed to see a group of intoxicated Japanese youths, dancing and revelling under the faint moonlight, desperately trying to waste time in every possible way. It was heart- wrenching to see.
Using poetic verses as a foundation for musical composition is no longer innovative and even somewhat cliché. I deeply realize that I am still in an impetuous creative attitude of seeking innovation and change. Regarding this piece, my creative concept deliberately avoids any literary connotations that the poem intends to convey, instead focusing superficially on the words themselves, specifically exploring new musical directions within these three Chinese characters.
-16th of June, 2023 Hanzhong Kang
Contents note
The compositional method I employ is called the "Han-Yin Method," which I self-created at the end of 2022. Han-Yin method is an interdisciplinary study of Microtones, Mandarin and Ancient Chinese Literature, combining 26 letters and 24 microtones. Based on this method, every letter matches its specific pitch. Following this method, the three characters "醉光舞" (Zuì Guāng Wǔ) have formed with six pitches and a Buff note ( letter "Z" -- Fermata). These six pitches have generated their own mode, harmony, and colours.
This 10-minute Piano Trio is composed solely using these six pitches: C, C#, E, 3/4#F, #A, and B. It aims to utilize the surface form (Character) to reverse- engineer and uncover the profound essence (Poetry) through this musical "translation" method.
Performance history
08 Oct 2023: Performed by NZTrio: Amalia Hall, Ashley Brown, Somi Kim at the University of Auckland Music Theatre