Metamorphosis I by CHONG Kee Yong

Metamorphosis I
for viola and harp

Composed: 2000
Duration: ca 11’
World premiere: 17 Dec 2007
Venue: Advent Lutheran Church (New York, USA)
1st Performed by: musicians of Argento ensemble (New York)
Stephanie Griffin (viola)
Jacqueline Kerrod (harp)

“Metamorphosis I” (2000)
This work is a metamorphosis of my work "The reflection of the dancing ghost" for bassoon and harp. The viola and bassoon both share the same musical emotion background presented by the harp.

The microtone scordatura of the harp and viola create a mixture of pure and non-pure fifth tuning, as often evident in Asian folklore music. I simulated the non-pure tempered tuning of the Chinese traditional instruments, and attempted to present the versatility of these 2 western instruments in presenting phrases, melodies and structure of Chinese folklore.