by Li Cheong
I. Allegro - Meno mosso - Allegro con moto
II. Andante - Poco con moto
III. Allegro - Andante - Tempo primo
Similar to Dennis Wu's Bagatelles, the writing of this piano suite spanned through various stages of composer's adolescence, yet the suite was in a coherent style. It also displays the composer's creative mind of writing music.
The first movement was written around secondary six and seven. The modal writing and the characterized augmented fourth oscillations suggest an image of music from Middle East. After free elaboration of the theme in meno mosso, music suddenly drives to an exciting ending.
In the second movement, the music begins with a Gregorian-chant like melody followed by a long polyphonic section. The conception of the movement was in composer's mind for long when he studied Medieval music history in first year of study. The theme is derived from the 3rd movement, which is also modal theme. There is no meter in general, some dotted barlines are used to indicate entry points. The music goes to a 6/8-time and he perhaps imitates the style of both sacred and secular music. The Gregorian chant reappears at the end and leads to the third movement.
The final movement was written in year one around 1999 to 2000. It is highly rhythmic with frequent meter changes, perhaps influenced by Béla Bartók. It was premièred in School of Music, Macau Conservatory in summer of 2001 by Alfred Wong and Li Cheong at the piano. The middle section of this movement of the current version has been revised.
Program Notes by Alfred Wong
Chu Hang Chun, piano primo
Chu Hang Chun is a first year student of the Music Department of the CUHK. He is studying piano under Mr. Choi Sown Le. He started to compose music since primary school. In his study in CUHK, he wishes to develop both in the area of composition and piano performance.
Li Cheong, piano secondo
Scores (1.31 Mb)
First Movement (3.61 Mb)