ORCHESTRAL
IN THE HALF-LIGHT
2022
Song cycle for soprano and orchestra.
Original libretto (2022) by Tash Aw.
2/2/2/2, 4/2/2/1, Timp, 3 Perc, 2 Harp, Soprano, 12/10/8/6/5.
21.5 minutes.
In the half-light explores the subjects of displacement, belonging, and home. It reflects on the meaning and simultaneously unsettling and exhilarating sensations of moving from one physical space to another. This seven movement song cycle for orchestra and soprano was born from a close collaboration between composer Zosha Di Castri, soprano Barbara Hannigan, and author Tash Aw.
Commissioned by the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, for soprano Barbara Hannigan.
Premiered May 19, 2022, by Barbara Hannigan, and Gustavo Gimeno, Music Director.
For orchestra.
2/2/2/2, 2/2/1, Timp, 2 Perc, Harp, 6/5/4/3/2.
6 minutes.
Commissioned by the WDR Sinfonieorchester Köln.
Premiered October 28-29, 2022, by the WDR Sinfonieorchester, conducted by Cristian Măcelaru.
Pentimento
2021
For orchestra and mixed chorus.
Original text (2019) by Xiaolu Guo; with excerpts from 'Alla luna' (1820) by Giacomo Leopardi, and fragment 168B, attrib. Sappho (c630-c570bc).
3/3/3/3, 4/3/3/1, Timp, 3 Perc, 2 Harp, Pn, SATB Chorus (min.24 voices, pref. more), 16/14/12/10/8.
16 minutes.
Long Is the Journey, Short Is the Memory commemorates the anniversary of Apollo 11’s mission to land the first person on the Moon (almost 50 years to the day of the premiere). The piece also takes inspiration from the recent Chinese Chang’e-4 exploration of the far side of the Moon, including an experiment to grow plants in a sealed biosphere. Zosha works with an original text by the Chinese-British novelist and filmmaker Xiaolu Guo to create a new composition drawing on evocations of the Moon across human history, from ancient Chinese legends to Western poetic fragments.
Commissioned by BBC Radio 3.
Premiered July 19, 2019 on the First Night of the BBC Proms by the BBC Singers and BBC Symphony Orchestra, directed by Karina Canellakis.
long is the journey,
SHort is the memory
2019
For orchestra, improvised drums, and silent film.
2/2/2/2, 4/2/3, Timp, 2 Perc, 1 Improv. Drums, 12/10/8/6/4.
12 minutes.
Commissioned by the Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal (OSM).
Premiered February 9, 2019 by the OSM and Michel Lambert, directed by Kent Nagano.
HUNGER
2018
DEAR LIFE
2015
For soprano, recorded narrator, and orchestra.
2/2/2/2; 4/2/3/1; Timp; 2 Perc; Sop; Elect; 10/10/6/6/4.
25 minutes.
Commissioned by the National Arts Centre Orchestra.
Premiered September 16, 2015 by the NACO, directed by Alexandre Shelley, with Erin Wall.
Based on the short story "Dear Life", by Nobel prize laureate Alice Munro. This piece can be performed independently as concert music, or as part of a larger multimedia show involving projections by Normal, featuring the stunning black and white photography of Larry Towell (directed by Donna Feore). In the show, the piece is partnered with three other pieces including works by John Estacio, Jocelyn Morlock, and Nicole Lizée. To learn more about the multimedia show, watch the promo video below produced by the NACO.
Serifiniana
2014
For amplified solo violin, amplified harp, orchestra, and electronics.
2/2/2/2; 2/2/3/1; 3 Perc; Hp; Pn; Vn; 6/6/4/4/2 + elect.
15 minutes.
Commissioned by Esprit Orchestra.
Premiered May 25, 2014 by Esprit Orchestra, directed by Alex Pauk, featuring Claudia Schaer on vn.
A surrealistic sonification of Luigi Serifini's Codex Serifinianus.
Lineage
2013
For orchestra.
3/3/3/3; 4/3/3/1; Timp; 4 Perc; Hp; Pn; Cel; 14/12/10/9/7.
11 minutes.
Co-commissioned by San Francisco Symphony and New World Symphony.
Premiered April 20, 2013 by NWS, directed by Michael Tilson Thomas.
A reflection on what is passed down. Combining change and consistency, Lineage re-imagines places and traditions I've known only second-hand. It is the sound of a fictitious culture one dreams up to keep the memories of another generation alive.
ALBA
2011
For orchestra.
3/3/3/3; 4/4/3/1; Timp; 4 Perc; Hp; Pn/Cel; 10/8/6/6/4.
8.5 minutes.
Commissioned by John Adams for the Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music.
Premiered August 13, 2011 by the Cabrillo Festival Orchestra, directed by Marin Alsop.
Taking inspiration from the frozen landscapes of the prairies of Northern Alberta, Alba is an orchestral investigation of the idea of dawn in the dead of winter. This represents a turning toward the stark quilted silences and stunning flatness of my homeland.