… aux cendres
study II for orchestra
Curtain call with conductor Elim Chan and the Hong Kong Philharmonic after the second performance of … aux cendres on 23rd November 2024, at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Concert Hall. [Photo credits: Keith Hiro/HK Phil]
Instrumentation
3333-4331-Timp+3-Pno-Hrp-Strings[16-14-12-10-8]
Duration
10 minutes
Commissioned by the Hong Kong Philharmonic under The Robert H. N. Ho Family Foundation Hong Kong Composers Scheme
Première
22nd November 2024
HK Philharmonic 2024/25 season subscription concert Swire Maestro Series: Elim Chan & James Ehnes, at Hong Kong Cultural Centre Concert Hall
Hong Kong Philharmonic, Elim Chan (conductor)
Dedication
To Elim Chan, in friendship
RTHK interview with Elim Chan on … aux cendres
Programme note (excerpt)
It would be remiss […] to read … aux cendres as - borrowing a term from the French thinker Jacques Derrida - a '“work of mourning.” Rather, if one is to lend credibility to the notion that works of art cannot be comprehended without taking into account the environment which their creators inhabit, then the soundscapes in the piece - ion turn tempestuous and desolate […] - portray a world left in ruins and ashes, ravaged by violent geopolitical military conflict and frequent financial crises, not to mention the looming threat of humanity’s total capitulation to increasingly ‘intelligent’ digital technology.
Press
“The world premiere of Angus Lee’s … aux cendres, which means “from the ashes”, made for a[n] […] eerie and desolate opening to a concert […], but […] offer[s] a soundscape full of textural interest. […] [Elim] Chan, seemingly at one with the work, showed uncannny fluidity in her direction as the orchestra players embellished the score with brassy snarls, trombone slides, string glissandi and whistling harmonics.”
Christopher Halls,
“Last weekend’s concerts opened with the world premiere of ‘… aux cendres, study II for orchestra,’ composed by the esteemed local talent Angus Lee. […] His work reflects a deep commitment to contemporary music and showcases his exceptional skills as a composer. […] The opportunity to showcase two of our leading talents, Elim Chan and Angus Lee, during the 35th anniversary of the Hong Kong Cultural Centre, was a source of immense pride for everyone in the city.”
Bernard Charnwut Chan,
Score samples
