for guqin, transducer, and live electronics
Three Caresses is inspired by “Wuxianqin” (Stringless Instrument), a stringless guqin that was not able to perform due to the lack of string. Tao Yuanming, a Jin dynasty poet who didn’t know how to play guqin, possessed a stringless guqin as an object to caress. He often caress the stringless guqin, in order to feel the sound potentially could be created by the instrument.
Hand movements from caressing are used as the thematic material for this composition in variation form. The amplifiers, transducers, and live electronics are used to enhance the sound created by caresses. A calligraphy machine is included as part of the performance. It is part of my studies in audiovisual transformation and graphic scores. It prints a visual score as I perform, which can also be served as a visual recording of the performance.
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