Conceptualising and actualising the writing of this piece is a little reminiscent of the process of a mathematician proving a conjecture or hypothesis or a theorem. You recognise what you have and what you start with, and you know what is your end goal. Yet, you have no inkling how to head there or where you are going but you have to go somewhere, regardless of where you are at. Through various hypothesis on two lemmas, which course through the entire piece, while being in constant dilemma, I achieved this final goal.

Lemmas are relatively smaller proven mathematical propositions to aid the proof of a larger result or theorem. Two lemmas serve as the explorations of this piece. The primary gestural motif (heard at the beginning of the piece) is represented by a graphical function, which can be seen at the top of the page of the score. By permutating the positions and operations of the variables, this motif can be heard transformed in various ways. Besides, vibrato on the strings can gradually evolve into glissandos. Varied speed and width (and length) of vibratos and glissandos become the secondary exploration of this piece. Do listen out for the different colours produced by the strings and by the fingers from just a single note.

Performances

23/3/2024 - Young Composer's Academy @ YST: performed by Martin Jaggi   PREMIERE