Island: Theme and Migrations
the loneliness of playing the piano

Two pianists are separated by the bodies of two grand pianos as if they were separated by the ocean. The strings resonate between them as they touch the keys like sunlight bouncing on the waves.

The title refers to Angel Island, the Ellis island of the West Coast, where Chinese sojourners carved their poetry into the walls of the immigration barracks. I think about their hardships and desires as I etch out sounds with gestures that come from the main theme.

These migrations, variations in the classical sense, vary from performance to performance because I've cut open the notation. Melodies and chords float around the score. Across the distance, the pianists hear each other.



Premiered by Nancy Jang and Regina Yeh at Brechmin Auditorium on April 06, 2007. Performed as part of the University of Washington Contemporary Group Concert at Meany Hall on May 23, 2007.