Duality of Man (2019)

for string quartet

Duality of Man expresses two distinct emotional states from two different points in my life in two movements. The same tone row was used for both movements, but each movement focuses on a different aspect of the row, highlighting a duality in the matrix of the row itself. The first movement focuses on the dissonances in the row, specifically the minor seconds and tritones. The second movement focuses on a triadic pattern of major and minor chords found in the matrix. The harmonic contrast between the two movements shapes the duality of the piece itself. Furthermore, the two movements reflect the duality in myself, the duality of the periods of life in which I composed this piece, and overall, the Duality of Man.

Duality of Man was premiered by the Bergamot String Quartet.

Performances

• September 26, 2020 - Earl and Darielle Linehan Concert Hall at University of Maryland, Baltimore County in Catonsville, MD (premiere)

  • Performers: Bergamot Quartet - Ledah Finck and Sarah Thomas, violins; Amy Tan, viola; Irene Han, cello