Live Performance at New Music On the Point 2022 by Jack Quartet
Christopher Otto, Violin I
Austin Wulliman, Violin II
John Pickford Richards, Viola
Jay Campbell, Cello

I Turbulent but delicate
II Vigilant but frisky
III More active, with curiosity
IV Agitated but expressive

This work consists of four movements that individually represent four different mindsets when unexpectedly getting into a “realm” that is beyond the real world. Each movement tends to reflect a different pair of ambivalent emotions that are brought by experiencing the unpredictability of the unknown. The emotional status becomes increasingly intense as the piece goes on. Although the “realm” that I refer to is abstract, certain elements in the piece are traceable. The shift between abstract and concrete gestures is noticeable in the piece but transfers interactively and fluently, as seen in the contrast of timbre and distinctive melodic and rhythmical gesture. Each gesture supports each other and is sometimes interrupted by the contrasting element in order to create a sound world that is full of imagination.