Between Worlds (2025)

ney, alto flute, oboe, sheng, bass clarinet/ 7 minutes

Composed for Vancouver Inter-Cultural Woodwind Quintet

Premiered by Amir Eslami (ney), Paolo Bortolussi (flute), Geronimo Mendoza (oboe), Tim Chan (sheng), Liam Hockley (clarinet)

Program Note

Between Worlds was composed for the VICO Intercultural Woodwind Quintet, as part of the Sounds Global Workshop. As I explored the ney, its timbral quality reminded me of the tale of The Pied Piper of Hamelin, particularly the mysterious and haunting sound of the Piper’s flute that could entrance both animals and people. While the piece does not aim to narrate the story directly, its structural and expressive elements are inspired by the atmosphere, motion, and emotional resonance of the tale.