Meng Wang: Shadows, trailing... (2023)

Inspired by Ligeti's Étude No. 17, “À bout de souffle,” Meng Wang created a Yangqin-like soundscape with a quasi-choreographical score for the pianist. Ligeti's rigorous canon was transformed into a canonical dialogue between the keyboard and the string. In the end, the hidden melody is harmonized with Meng's distinctively Chinese music harmonies, which transcends the unheard shadow of the future of music.

Performance by Han Chen on September 24, 2023 at National Sawdust, Brooklyn. This piece was co-commissioned by Han Chen and Metropolis Ensemble.