Wayang Kulit for brass quintet employs very simple materials: long held tones and short attacks unfolding a single chord. The detailed dynamics gradations and particular stereophonic sitting arrangement help to create the experience of ‘viewing’ the single chord from different perspectives, and varying degrees of light and shade. This is similar to the experience of the intricate Indonesian kulit puppets in a traditional wayang setting. Another influence is 16th century European polyphony, particularly the polychoral writings of Thomas Tallis and Giovanni Gabrieli. Hence ‘Wayang Kulit’ reflects my compositional interest in finding common ground among cultural practices, on which to make music.

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