Umwelten
music by Tze Toh
concert program
*works may not be performed in this order
Anemone - Sea anemones are simple creatures. Without a brain, they perceive the world through a decentralized network of nerves, experiencing their environment through touch, chemical cues and light. This is a minimalist, concept-improvisation piece, where a basic motif is repeated and varied through simple movements and extended interlocking rhythms on both left and right hands.
Machines that Fly - inspired by the limitless imagination of Leonardo Da Vinci, this piece is mechanical / "machine-parts" concept piece - there are around 6 - 7 miniature musical ideas i.e. parts that this improvised piece is built on. The parts include a 2 note obstinato, an extended 2 octave scale which is moves from major to minor, a main "possibilities" motif based on E7sus4 resolving to a A/E.
A Star is Reborn - The Starfish is one of the few living things that can actually regenerate itself, starting over again and again. An improvised piece based on the raga Gambiranatta from Carnatic (South Indian traditional) music, signifying beginnings. Combining the rich textures of western harmony - a Ryuichi Sakamoto inspired progression, and the beauty of the raga Gambiranatta, and an orchestral approach.
Sentio - meaning "to perceive," "to feel," "to experience," in Latin, this piece is a passacaglia; a work where the main composed theme's harmonic progression is continously repeated and improvised over.
Fjord - Mysterious, silent, cold, of Nordic beauty.
Shapes of Dreams - flowing, beautiful, asymmetric, eternal - the Jellyfish.
Here with Me - A prayer (improvised-composed) during the Covid pandemic. This piece's core is a main motiff / phrase built of a set of movements in 10ths. There is no time signature for this piece, because the piece is not based on a fixed meter / pulse, but rather on the phrases themselves, which are expressed freely, in rubato.
Time - A composed work reflecting upon the perception / relativity of time, built from a single basic motiff.
12 Dimensions on Strings in Theory - Travels of a multi-dimensional entity. A semi-composed piece, where the theme journeys through all 12 keys - signifying the 12 dimensions theoretized to exist by quantum physicists.
Unending - Humanity’s endless cycles of conflicts, with no end in sight. A singular path to eventual destruction? A cycle which restricts the world’s potential for growth, betterment.
Wanderers (part iii: Symphony) - Unbridled joy, at finding beauty and limitless possibilities within the chaos of the world. Wanderers was originally commissioned for the Gallery Pinnacle Award and Gallery Distinguished Service Award 2023, organised by National Gallery Singapore.
Space port - adventures of a tardigrade in space.
Thank you for attending Umwelten.
Umwelten: solo piano album (digital), will be released in a month’s time. Please use the form below if you wish to pre-order a copy and/or sign up to my mailing list.
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