[String Quartet]
Upcoming premiere by Mivos Quartet

Program Notes:

String Quartet No. 3 is a deeply personal work, dedicated both to my passions beyond music—visual art, reading, and astronomy—and to my loved ones. It marks a significant milestone as my first composition structured in four movements. Previously, I hesitated to write beyond three movements, partly due to a self-perceived tendency for the third movement to feel less compelling. This quartet represents a conscious effort to embrace longer forms, allowing for greater emotional depth and narrative scope.

Each movement draws inspiration from a distinct facet of my world:

I. Neon: Captures my impression of neon lights—ubiquitous yet transformative, whether adorning a small shop or towering as installation art. I sought to evoke the mesmerizing effect of time-lapse photography, where vibrant light appears to flow dynamically through the glass tubes.

II. Retroscape: Inspired by Poincaré recurrence, the theory suggesting the universe cycles and every state will eventually return. This resonated profoundly with the Buddhist concept of reincarnation (lunhui / 轮回), presenting the beautiful notion that no first meeting or first hearing is truly "first."

III. Fallen Stars: Reflects on Halley's Comet and its next anticipated return in 2061. The comet's unwavering celestial schedule, indifferent to human affairs, contrasts poignantly with the fleeting chance most have to witness it—often just once in a lifetime.

IV. To Aoi: A double variation dedicated to the wonderful jazz saxophonist Aoi Murakoshi. Built upon two melancholy yet memorable melodies, it strives to capture an essence of mono no aware (物哀)—the Japanese aesthetic of wistful appreciation for transience.

A unifying thread binds these movements: each begins with strikingly simple, almost childlike material, deliberately evolving into intricate, complex textures. This organic growth mirrors the way seemingly small inspirations—a flickering light, a cosmic idea, a fleeting encounter—can unfold into profound experiences.