BetweenTheWords

BetweenTheWords draws its musical impetus from notions of secrets and the unknown. The primary text phrase of the composition spoken in Chinese, when stated within the composition, is almost unintelligible. But, even if a listener can understand the words, the text seems to make no logical sense and we are left with a mystery. The spoken Chinese phrase translates into English as:

“Resist applauding for strangers”

Because this phrase really makes little textual sense, understanding is directed more towards the sound of the words. The last word of this phrase, “strangers,” of course, can be seen as an indication of mystery, so perhaps deeper meaning is implied. There are, however, texts that do make sense and can be understood. The first of these understandable texts are sounded in hushed, secretive tones at the ends of the first three sections of the piece. These texts, translated into English are:

“Very few of us are what we seem”

“I am a universe of secrets, a deep ocean of secrets”

“There are secrets we keep from others and those that we hide from ourselves”