Instrumentation
2 bangdi, 1 qudi, 2 xindi — 2 gaoyinsheng, 2 zhongyinsheng, 1 diyinsheng — 2 gaosuona, 1 zhongsuona, 1 disuona, 1 guan — 2 yangqin, 2 liuqin, 4 pipa, 4 zhongruan, 2 daruan — percussion — huqin (7.14.7), 6 Vc., 3 Db.
Duration
c. 9'20
Premiered
Nov 2011, Singapore Conference Hall, Singapore
Tsung YEH (conducting), Singapore Chinese Orchestra
Additional remarks
Won the Singaporean Composer Award, in the Singapore International Competition for Chinese Orchestral Competition (SICCOC) 2011
Score & parts available upon request
Discography
Charms of Nanyang II (Singapore Chinese Orchestra 2015), available on Spotify
Programme note
黑光 Dark Light paints the musical soundscape of two musical bands crossing paths — a Wind Ensemble from Eastern-China and Javanese Gamelan troop from Indonesia. As the two bands draw closer to each other, their opposing sonorities (smooth winds versus sharp, plucked or mallet attacks) present an uncomfortable tension. Furiously attempting to outplay each other with blaring clashing pitches, interlocking rhythms and sheer volume of sounds, the conflict heightens and eventually bursts with a passionate outcry from each band.
Photo credits: The Straits Times 26 Nov, 2011 (ST PHOTOS: DESMOND WEE)