Metamorphosis IV by CHONG Kee Yong

Metamorphosis IV
for two musicians and pre-recorded audio samples
Composed: 2001
Commissioned by: Miss Yoshiko SATO
Dedication: Miss Yoshiko SATO and Rikke PETERSEN
World premiere: 12/03/2001
Venue: Auditorium of Royal Conservatory of Brussels (Flemish section, Belgium)
1st Performed by: Rikke PETERSEN (flute)
Yoshiko SATO (viola)
CHONG Kee-Yong (sound projectionist)

This piece is a metamorphosis of my “Si” for flute solo (2000); the fourth piece in my metamorphosis series.
“Metamorphosis IV” for two musicians and CD (2001) conveys my derivation of idea on my own composition. The main musical idea of the previous composition is remains; Two musicians (can be in any combination, premiered version: Flute & viola) and CD all shared the same musical emotion and atmosphere of “Si”.

For me, this piece is more than just a variation; it is a sublimation or mutation from the same musical idea or emotional condition evident in the previous composition.

“Si” & “Metamorphosis IV” both were inspired by the fragmentary poem from “Wu Ti” [Untitled] (Tang dynasty) by Shang-Yin LI and the elegiac address text written by Mr. Woon-Hong WONG for our dear friend Miss Lee-Ting PHANG (1971~1989) who was killed in the car accident.

Cherish is like the entangled threads, I treat the two musicians playing as the slender breath which simulate cherish, so remoteness like the threads that tangled people.
The Tape part is a montage of different sort of music I listened to while I was conceiving this piece; most of them are very strong with the spirit of ritualistic!

“METAMORPHOSIS IV” was first performed by flutist Miss Rikke PETERSEN , violist Miss Yoshiko SATO and composer as sound projectionist on 12/03/2001 at the Auditorium of Royal Conservatory of Brussels.

The second version (2006) is played and recorded by musicians of ENSEMBLE INTEGRALES viola/violin player Ms Barbara Lüneburg and double bass player Mr. John Eckhardt in their concerts and CD album “TRACES OF ASIA”. (CD label: Coviello Contempoarary, Germany)