Angst II Luxembourg Sinfonietta Oct. 14, 2006 by alicehopingyee

Angst II describes an intense state of perpetual anxiety. The dramatic intent of this work explores an imaginative scenario when a troubled individual is inexplicably trapped in an unknown enclosed environment. Feeling captivated, one becomes delusional and creates fear of all forms. The sense of isolation and desperation in this drama is portrayed by the bleakness of the music, often a long pause after an intense passage to create an empty space filled with rich ringing overtones. Struggling between dream and reality, the music stylishly augments this dissolution by intense tremolo figures, sudden dynamic changes, and dramatic variation in piano registers. The solo piano writing is conceived in an unusual manner that it leads and breathes freely, and carries one main gesture throughout. The accompanying ensemble is created as “action” or “reaction” to the soloist; symbolically, they play “chance” to one’s uncertain destiny.
Alice Ho