치유 (Chiyu; Healing; 治癒)

Year Composed:
2023

Instrumentation:
flute, Bb clarinet, violin, cello, piano

Commission:
Commissioned by the Hangzhou Contemporary Music Festival, as a commission award for Honorable Mention in the 3rd Hangzhou Contemporary Music Festival “Artinno” Award International Orchestral Composition Competition, November 2022

Performance:
Performed by Dissolution Ensemble, Blackbox Kosmos, Lucerne School of Music, Switzerland, February 23, 2024

Premiered by Moscow Contemporary Music Ensemble, the 4th Hangzhou Contemporary Music Festival, Young Composers Commissioned Premiere Concert, Artinno Town Phoenix Creative Building, Hangzhou, Chian, October 18, 2023

Duration:
7:30

PROGRAM NOTES
The title of the piece, "Chiyu," represents the Korean pronunciation of the word "치유," which translates to "healing" in English. While healing typically conveys the idea of curing diseases, "chiyu" embodies a more psychological, experiential, and humanistic approach. During the period of composing this piece, I personally faced many challenging situations, leading to a deeply melancholic and anxious phase, where I had to endure significant hardship.

Throughout the composition process, I sought to find healing for these emotions, relying on the act of composing itself to seek emotional stability within myself. I aimed to express my emotions delicately and emotionally, drawing upon the unconscious resonance of sounds, without the restraint of rational control. I crafted the music using contemporary musical language, capturing the unique sensations inherent in these sounds with sensitivity and emotion.

Through this process, I hoped that my pain would find healing, seeking clarity in my emotions, and trusting the unconscious resonance of sounds to bring tranquility to my state of mind.

Additionally, elements of meditation that brought comfort to me during a brief stay at a hanok (traditional Korean house) called Chiyoujae (literally "Healing Studio") in Seoul's Bukchon area are reflected throughout the composition.