YOUNJE CHO
CHIYU | HEALING | ( )
for quintet
PROGRAM NOTES
The title of the piece, "Chiyu," represents the Korean pronunciation of the word " ," which translates to "healing" in English. While healing typically conveys the idea of curing diseases, "chiyu" embodies a more psychological, experiential, and humanistic approach. During the period of composing this piece, I personally faced many challenging situations, leading to a deeply melancholic and anxious phase, where I had to endure significant hardship.
Throughout the composition process, I sought to find healing for these emotions, relying on the act of composing itself to seek emotional stability within myself. I aimed to express my emotions delicately and emotionally, drawing upon the unconscious resonance of sounds, without the restraint of rational control. I crafted the music using contemporary musical language, capturing the unique sensations inherent in these sounds with sensitivity and emotion.
Through this process, I hoped that my pain would find healing, seeking clarity in my emotions, and trusting the unconscious resonance of sounds to bring tranquility to my state of mind.
Duration: 7:40
Bloomington, IN August 2023
PERFORMANCE NOTES
In General:
[] = gradual changes between two instructions
[n] = niente
[] = acceleration for the given note value
microtonal accidentals:
an interval of a quarter tone is 50 cents / an interval of a 6 th tone is 33.3 cents.
(the accidentals below the line indicate approximate microtonal deviations from quarter-tone divisions.)
Woodwinds:
Abbreviations:
jet = jet whistle (flute only)
NoNo = alternating the same pitch between two fingerings using a given rhythm, microtonal discrepancies are desired (N indicates normal fingering; o indicates alternate fingering
C.Tr. = color trill/ timbral trill; alternation of the same pitch; the combination of a fundamental fingering with the rapid alteration of one key with a finger of each hand
Slap. T. = slap tonguing; percussive effect is expected. all tremolo marks indicate flutter-tonguing.
= toneless (full air)
= half air, half pitch = full tone = indicates gradual transformation from normal note to harmonics to normal, etc. used for harmonic tremolo.
[] = air sound
[] = half-air sound (combination of air tone and weak pitched tone)
Flute: [] = pronounce the syllables through the instrument while playing a given pitch on treble clef.
[] = tongue pizzicato (accompanied with an accent)
[ ] = harmonic sound (the upper note should be sounding with the lower note being the fundamental tone)
[ ] = overblowing (accompanied with strong dynamics)
Clarinet:
[] or [] =key click; being note head indicates without pitch; being on a stem indicates with a given pitch
[] = slap tongue
[] =overblowing/ high partials or spectral pitches are expected to sound.
*Fingering of the Clarinet Multiphonics used
Strings:
Abbreviations:
ord. / s.p. / m.s.p. / s.t. / m.s.t. / c.l.b. / ric.
= position ordinary / sul ponticello / molto sul ponticello / sul tasto / molto sul tasto / col legno battuto / ricochet
[] = non-specified pitch. Used when the string bow is used across the large area of the instrument.
[] = muted note; dry and dampened sound is expected.
[] = harmonic note
[] = lightly touched note
[] = high as possible
The following marks indicate a degree of bow pressure: = light pressure = normal pressure = over pressure
[] = indicates a continuous bowing that makes noisy sound of over pressure.
[] = indicates seagull effect; encouraged to play on the string that makes the sound most effective.
*
[] = gradually add bow pressure onto a string to produce a scratch sound, causing a sharp and acute sound.
[] = gradually subtract bow pressure from a string until normal bowing.
* should be differentiated from over pressure sound.
Chiyu (Healing; )
commissioned by the 4th Hangzhou Contempoary Music Festival
Flute
Clarinet in B
Violin
Cello
Piano
Chiyu - page 2
(lightly-touched)
Chiyu - page 14
- page 15
Chiyu - page 16
Chiyu - page 17