Descending Flow

Descending Flow consists of three continuous sections and is based largely on an endlessly-repeated note ‘C’ which is constantly coloured by various instrumental combinations and timbral changes. Each of the three strings C3, C4 (middle C) and C5 of a 12-stringed Gayageum is used in turn to give structure to the music in each of the three sections, whilst the ensemble plays descending flows of rapid notes around these Cs. This is especially so for the middle C, since that is a central note for tuning the Gayageum and acts as the central pitch of the middle section, which is proportionally the longest and most important in this work.

This piece is scored for Gayageum and ensemble (flute/piccolo, oboe, clarinet/bass clarinet, percussion, piano, violin, viola, cello and double bass) and was composed during the spring of 2005. It was commissioned by the International Isang Yun Music Society in Germany and was first performed by the Kammerensemble Neue Musik Berlin and Jiyoung Yi on 24 September 2005 at the Konzerthaus in Berlin, Germany. It lasts for 9 minutes.